Mugabe threatens Tsvangirai with arrest

Tsvangirai recently announced during a campaign rally that his party would publicise the results of the polls that would be posted at ward and constituency polling centres after voting. ZEC has since announced that it will not post the results outside the polling stations as prescribed by the Electoral Act.

In the 2008 March general polls, the results were announced through tabulated formats, and the likes of the MDC-T Secretary General, Tendai Biti, were severely warned against doing so, despite them being public knowledge.

“If Tsvangirai announces election results as he has threatened, police will arrest him,” said Mugabe.

Morgan Komichi, the MDC-T Deputy Chairperson, was today arrested and later released by the police for announcing that he had been handed over an envelope containing ballots that had been found in a trash bin in Harare.

Mugabe warned the urban electorate against voting MDC, as this would cause more suffering among the nation. “Whites are waiting impatiently in the wings, to recolonise Zimbabwe in the event MDC wins July 31 elections.”

Meanwhile, police reinforcements had to be summoned to help bar thousands of people from leaving a poorly attended Zanu (PF) rally, as President Robert Mugabe delivered his campaign speech at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday.

Truck loads of riot police were ferried to the stadium to contain the thousands of people embarrassing Mugabe by their early departure. Mugabe gave his speech while thousands of people were engaged in running battles with police and Zanu (PF) touts at the exit.

People interviewed by The Zimbabwean at the rally said they attended the rally out of fear, as Zanu (PF) youths in their residential suburbs would blacklist those who do not attend Mugabe rallies.

“The reason why we are trying to leave the rally in the middle of Mugabe’s speech is that we have no business at Zanu (PF) rallies,” said an elderly woman who identified herself as Mbuya Marjory of Epworth.

The veteran leader bemoaned the urban voting trend whichhas overwhelmingly favoured MDC at the expense of Zanu (PF).

“You are not responding convincingly that you will vote me at coming elections. If you vote Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC, I will collapse dead from heart attack,” Mugabe told the rally.

She wondered how a self respecting political party could distribute regalia to children who are not part of the electorate. “This is madness.”