MDC appeals Zim result

Zimbabwe’s MDC opposition party arrived at court yesterday to lodge a bid to overturn the results of the presidential election, which it alleges was rigged to ensure victory for Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The court action could delay Mnangagwa’s inauguration, scheduled for tomorrow. President Cyril Ramaphosa is among many African leaders scheduled to attend the ceremony.

Jameson Timba, a former MDC lawmaker, confirmed an appeal would be filed.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) alleges that Mnangagwa’s slender victory in Zimbabwe’s first election since the ousting of Robert Mugabe was rigged by the ruling Zanu-PF party and the election commission.

Mnangagwa, seeking to reverse Zimbabwe’s economic isolation and attract desperately needed foreign investment, had vowed the elections would turn a page on Mugabe’s repressive 37-year rule.

International monitors largely praised the conduct of the election itself, although EU observers said Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally, benefitted from an “unlevel playing field” and some voter intimidation.

Mnangagwa won the presidential race with 50.8% of the vote – just enough to avoid a runoff against the MDC’s Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3%.

Chamisa has called the election results “falsified and inflated” to ensure Mnangagwa won.

The MDC had until yesterday to lodge its appeal – seven days after the results were announced.

Party lawyer Thabani Mpofu last week said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s figures “grossly, mathematically fail to tally”.

Analysts say the legal challenge has little chance of success given the courts’ historic tilt towards the Zanu-PF, which has ruled since 1980. – AFP