Zimbabwe vote stands as judge rejects attempt to annul result

ZIMBABWE’S new president will be sworn into office tomorrow after allegations of vote rigging were rejected by a judge yesterday.

Emmerson Mnangagwa “is now ready to deliver on his mandate to usher in a new Zimbabwe”, a ZANU-PF spokesman said. “We are ecstatic... President Mnangagwa won and that can no longer be disputed.”

Chief Justice Luke Malaba strongly criticised the case brought by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which claimed last month’s election was marred by “massive doctoring” and wanted the vote annulled.

“The court finds the applicant has failed to place before it clear, direct, sufficient and credible evidence of irregularities,” the judge said in his ruling at the Constitutional Court in Harare. “There was no proof of the happenings of these irregularities as a matter of fact.”

Mr Mnangagwa won the election with 50.8 per cent of the vote – just enough to meet the 50 per cent threshold needed to avoid a run-off against MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3 per cent.

“I once again reiterate my call for peace and unity,” Mr Mnangagwa said in a televised address after the ruling.

“Let us put whatever differences we might have behind us. It is time to build our nation and move forward together.”

The MDC issued a statement saying it would respect the court verdict despite being the victim “of chicanery and electoral pilferage”.

Campaigning was more open than previous votes, under Robert Mugabe’s regime, but at least six MDC supporters were killed in clashes with the security forces shortly after the election.