. . . and Zanu-PF

ZANU-PF has deployed its campaign arsenal on the ground and will win the election as it is a party that represents people’s aspirations, a senior party official has said.

ZANU-PF secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu said this after meeting the Sadc Elections Observer Mission.

“ZANU-PF is on ground, we have our entire campaign arsenal on the ground through mobilisation of people,” he said. “We want to assure the region and the world that ZANU-PF is a party of choice and represents the expectations of the people.”

Cde Mpofu warned other political parties to focus their energies on campaigning instead of making threats against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and other constitutional bodies.

“We have also been observing the behaviour of some of our colleagues in the opposition parties where instead of mobilising people campaigning, they have been making all sorts of threats against ZEC and other institutions on issues of a constitutional nature,” Cde Mpofu said.

“What we are saying to them is that they should focus on the race, otherwise they will also blame us for not running fast to win the race. We are ready and we are appealing to other parties not to embark on issues that might cause problems for them.

“We will not mince our words. We are going to deal with those that go against the peaceful preparations for the elections.”

The head of the Sadc Elections Observer Mission and Angolan deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Tete Antonio, said their efforts were to ensure a peaceful Zimbabwe.

“I think we are here as Sadc Elections Observer Mission to observe,” he said. “We have been listening to every stakeholder we are meeting.

“The main objective of all these exercises is to have a peaceful Zimbabwe run by the rule of law and with respect for what the people of Zimbabwe would have said.”