Mugabe threatens Tsvangirai with arrest

By John Kachembere

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe on Sunday warned Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai against prematurely announcing election results saying he risked being arrested for breaking the law.

“In the whole of Africa, I have never heard of a prime minister who has threatened to break the law, but that happens when people have limited knowledge,” the Zanu PF leader told thousands of party supporters at a star rally at the National Sports Stadium.

“You are saying you are going to announce the election results. Who are you? The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has the mandate to announce the results. We say that is the law. We must all obey the law,” he said.

Tsvangirai last week threatened to conduct a parallel voter tabulation from results posted outside the 9 000-plus polling stations and ?announce the results if Zec fails to announce the results in five days.

Tsvangirai told thousands of his party supporters at the Domboshawa Showgrounds: “Tinoma announcer maresults. Kana vachida kusunga, vanosunga ani? Vamwe tinenge tava mapresident (We will announce the results. Who will they arrest, some of us will be the president by then),” he said.

Under Section 66 (a) of the Electoral Act, only the chief elections officer is empowered to announce the election results.

First Lady Grace Mugabe also told the same rally that Tsvangirai needs prayers.

“Tsvangirai is now mad,” she said. “Every time he opens his mouth, he says silly things. It is because he knows he is going to lose this election.” Daily News