Mugabe admits losing March 2008 election

By Kelvin Jakachira

Dictator Robert Mugabe has for the first time publicly admitted that he lost the disputed March 2008 election. The octogenarian told delegates attending the 11th people’s conference in Mutare on Friday that he lost to MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the presidential election because Zanu PF party activists campaigned against him. Mugabe said he was saved by electoral laws which allow for a run-off if the winner does not garner more than 50 percent of the ballot.

“We heard others saying vote for this one and not this one. I lost some votes as a result of that,” he said. He said the party activists who were behind such machinations did not realise that if he had been dislodged from power, the entire party would have been affected also. To avoid a repeat of that in the next year’s election, Mugabe threatened members of his inner circle and Zanu PF activists who dare deviate from resolutions made in Mutare.

In apparent reference to reports that some of his lieutenants were against holding elections next year, Mugabe said he did not want anybody to oppose what would have been decided at the conference. He issued the warning amid reports delegates were being whipped into line to endorse his stance on elections. Mugabe told delegates elections would be held next year because he was unhappy with the goings-on in the inclusive government.

“If we take a decision let’s not hear anybody opposing that decision,” he said. “You have to accept what the majority of the people have decided.” The issue of holding elections next year has sharply divided Zanu PF’s leadership with some arguing the coalition should be allowed to continue because it has brought political stability as well as resuscitating the economy. There was tension during a politburo meeting held on Monday at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare as the political stalwarts disagreed on the issue. Zimbabwe Standard