PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said he would push President Robert Mugabe into peaceful retirement when his MDC-T party emerges winner in the national elections tomorrow.
STAFF REPORTER
Addressing his last rally at an open space behind Rainbow Towers, in Harare, Tsvangirai said tomorrow’s election will mark an end to Mugabe’s 33 year-old rule.
“On Wednesday, we are going to make a historic decision between democracy and dictatorship,” he said.
“We will choose between the past and present, it is not political but just a generational choice.”
Tsvangirai said he wanted Mugabe to enjoy his retirement in peace and comfort.
“I will show him how to lead the nation,” he told thousands of people who attended the rally at the open space, which he dubbed “freedom square”.
“It is a choice between a bleak yesterday and better tomorrow, between authoritarianism and democratic governance.
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“We want our old man to go and rest peacefully.
“Why is Zanu PF abusing this old man when they have young people in the party? Today’s problems can’t be solved by yesterday’s people.” The Premier said he was not bitter at his experiences at the hands of Zanu PF aligned security agents.
“I am not bitter. I have reflected on everything that has happened to me and my family and I have forgiven my tormentors,” he told the rally, which he termed the “Cross Over” rally.
Tsvangirai said there was evidence of rigging, but urged his supporters to endure all efforts to frustrate them and make sure they vote.
“What is the role of ZEC in this electoral process? In the last couple of weeks, we have raised concerns and sought for information we should have, two days before elections, I, as a presidential candidate, don’t have a voters’ roll,” he said.
“Our Chief election agent (Morgan) Komichi is in custody, we are not aware who is printing the ballots, it’s clear that ZEC is either complicit or has abdicated its responsibility to someone.
“If they are not capable (of holding free and fair polls), they should say so or resign for the public interest.
Tsvangirai said he had told head of the African Union (AU) observer mission, Olusegun Obasanjo that the election’s credibility lay in the behaviour of and conduct of ZEC.
“We put them there (ZEC commissioners) with a view that they will change, but it appears that they are not up to that responsibility . . . do the honourable thing and go,” he said.
“This is not a threat, but for a long time, the people of Zimbabwe have been shortchanged in the manner elections have been held. In 2002, they rigged. In 2008 they rigged, this time they won’t. Don’t you dare do that again.”
