Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has quit Zimbabwe’s run-off presidential election against Robert Mugabe, saying the vote cannot be free and fair.

‘We in the MDC cannot ask them to cast their vote on the 27th when that vote would cost them their lives,’ Tsvangirai told reporters. ‘We will no longer participate in the violent illegitimate sham of an election process.’

AFP reports the opposition chief said Mugabe had ‘declared war by saying that the bullet has replaced the ballot.’

‘We believe an election that reflects the will of the people is impossible,’ he said, as he appealed to the United Nations, African Union and regional body SADC to ‘intervene and stop the genocide’.

Sunday’s decision almost certainly handed victory by default to Mugabe, 84, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.

In reaction to the announcement by Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he is pulling out of the June 27 presidential election run-off against President Robert Mugabe, Reuters reports Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwean Justice Minister said ‘Tsvangirai must write formally to ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) advising that he is withdrawing from the race, in which event there will be one candidate, meaning there will not be a poll.

If he doesn’t, the poll will take place.’

‘With respect to the reasons he gave for withdrawing, it is not true that it’s due to political violence because it is his party that has been instigating violence.

‘He spent a lot of time outside the country talking to people who do not vote.

On the legitimacy of Mugabe’s apparent victory be default: ‘What legitimacy do you lose when a candidate withdraws, fearing defeat? The situation on the ground is now very supportive of us and Tsvangirai knows he faces certain defeat.

On calls for SADC, AU and UN intervention: ‘There’s no genocide taking place anywhere, justifying any intervention. He’s only saying that to bring foreign intervention in this country

Earlier in the day, new ziana reports Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said it is ready for the presidential run-off on Friday.

It said Preparations were also ready for three parliamentary by-elections to be held on the same day.

‘ZEC wishes to advise the public that the commission is ready to conduct the 2008 presidential run-off and three House of Assembly by-elections,’ it said in a statement.

Polling officers to be trained this week will be deployed to their stations on Thursday.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is challenging Robert Mugabe who has been ruling since independence in 1980.

Supporters of their respective Movement for Democratic Party and Zanu PF have been locked in a violent campaign in which hundreds had died so far.

A total of 370 foreign and local observers and 155 foreign and local journalists had accredited with the commission.

The multi-party liaison committee had political parties and stakeholders to ensure the poll would be free and fair.

On Monday the commission would brief stakeholders in Harare on the progress for the run-off.

ENDS/CBM/BK/ MK/ZANIS…………LUSAKA

Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairman Levy Mwanawasa has called for the postponement of the Zimbabwe Presidential run off elections scheduled for 27th June until further notice.

Dr. Mwanawasa has since urged election authorities in Zimbabwe to implement the postponement in order to allow for the establishment of conditions suitable for the holding of genuinely free and fair elections in accordance with Zimbabwean law and the SADC principles.

Speaking during a media conference in Lusaka this afternoon, Dr. Mwanawasa who is also Republic of Zambia President said the situation in Zimbabwe does not stimulate the holding of free and fair elections.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that he would be failing in his duties as SADC Chairperson if he did not offer timely advise to Zimbabwe to postpone the elections saying the current political environment in that country falls far short of the SADC principles.

The SADC Chairperson noted that the run-off elections in Zimbabwe will not be free and fair due to among others banning and disruption of opposition campaign rallies, detention and arresting of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his Secretary General Tendai Biti currently facing treason charges.

Dr. Mwanawasa also cited Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s declaration that he will not accept an MDC victory in the elections and his threats of an impending civil war.

“Apart from this, the opposition has been denied equal access to state media thereby denying them the opportunity to communicate their campaign messages effectively,” noted the SADC Chairman.

Dr. Mwanawasa added that SADC and African Union report by the International Press Institute-IPI revealed that there has been physical attacks on Journalists in the last few months.

He pointed out that in view of this, it is not possible to have free and free elections in the SADC member state saying it will be embarrassing to both the SADC region and Africa to proceed with the run-off election under the current political situation.

Dr. Mwanawasa said postponing the run-off elections would avert the catastrophe threatening the region.

Asked whether his decision to postpone the run-off elections in Zimbabwe had the blessings of the SADC Heads of State, President Mwanawasa said he had two options of consulting or to use his discretion as SADC Chairman.

He pointed out that he decided to use his leadership role and that it would be sad if the majority of SADC leaders do not support what should be considered as a right path to take.

Dr. Mwanawasa said in the past five days he tried to contact leaders in the region but however managed to talk to four out of the 14 Heads of states and government leaders in the regional body.

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has expressed disappointment that he is being denied access to information and has to rely on intelligence reports gathered and through the press.

He said South Africa President Thabo Mbeki who is the regional mandated mediator has not briefed him on the out come of the recent talks he had with Mr. Mugabe and Tsvangirai .

‘ I tried to call him yesterday , but was told by the private secretary what he was in a meeting and that he will get back.

Even today I tried but he was in a meeting and has not gotten back,’ President Mwanawsa said.

And President Mwanawasa said he is disappointed that some Zimbabweans have misinterpreted Zambia’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe saying he was concerned about the deteriorating economic situation in the neighboring country.

“My concern and that of the Zambian people is to see that Zimbabwe lives in peace for itself and it neighbors. Our relations with Zimbabwe is still cordial hence our continued efforts to see that Zimbabweans enjoy peace once more. A troubled Zimbabwe is a troubled Zambia,” said Dr. Mwanawasa.

On 2nd May, the Zimbabwean electoral commission announced the Presidential results in which opposition leader Tsvangirai received 47.9 percent while ZANU-PF President Robert Mugabe received 43.2 percent.

In accordance with the Zimbabwean law a run-of was called between Tsvangirai and Mugabe set for 27th June.

Zimbabwe went to the polls on 29th March this year and it took more than one month before the Presidential election results were announced.

The MMD in Southern province says it is confident of scooping the forthcoming Chirundu bye election which is scheduled for next week.

MMD Provincial Secretary Emmanuel Siamweela told ZANIS in Siavonga today that the ruling party is doing everything possible to ensure that it wins the seat that was declared vacant following the expulsion of a UPND councillor.

Mr. Siamweela disclosed that MMD has mounted a vigorous political campaign in the boarder town of Chirundu which is centered on development.

Mr. Siamweela who is leading the campaign team in the town said President Mwanawasa’s government has demonstrated that it is a working government hence the need for people of Chirundu to show their appreciation by voting for the MMD candidate Gift Chanda.

He observed that voting for an MMD candidate as Chirundu ward councilor will help bring about democracy to the Siavonga District Council chamber that only has one MMD councilor at the moment with the rest being those from the opposition UPND.

He added that increasing the number of councilors from other political parties will also help provide checks and balances to the council.

The Chirundu bye election is scheduled for 26th of June and is being contested for by the ruling MMD and the opposition UPND.
ZANIS/LL/MK/ENDS

The office of the Movement for Democratic Change-MDC Office in South Africa has petitioned Southern Africa Development Community (SADC ) Chairman President Levy Mwanawasa to act with impulsion so as to enable democratic change prevails in Zimbabwe.

MDC South Africa Chairman, Malcom Mutandiro who led a six-man delegation to present the petition yesterday through the Zambia High Commission Chancery in Pretoria said the MDC in conjunction with civil societies, Xenophobia victims, political and economic refugees in South Africa are frustrated and have lost confidence in South African President Thabo Mbeki’s mediation efforts in as far as the situation in Zimbabwe is concerned.

In the petition, Mr. Mutandiro said the MDC office appreciates the efforts made by President Mwanawasa towards resolving the political problems being faced in Zimbabwe
The party however accused President Mbeki of playing double standards and taking partisan position in his role as mediator.

The petition titled ‘deterioration of political crisis in Zimbabwe was received by Mtotola Nyanga on behalf of Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula.
This is contained in a press statement to ZANIS by Zambia High Commission to South Africa Second Secretary in charge of Press, Phillip Chirwa.

Mr. Mutandiro alleged that since the elections of 2000, 2002. 2005 and the recent March 29, 2008 elections, President Mbeki has just been watching the rapid deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe with a blind eye and lack of interest.

The MDC South Africa Chairman pointed out that the people of Zimbabwe have not known peace and good governance for generations and that since the end of colonial rule the crisis of governance has reached a new level under a black regime.

“After the disputed elections of 2000 our regional body, SADC appointed President Mbeki as mediator. It is unfortunate that the continued deterioration of both political and economical situation in Zimbabwe seems to be going unabated whilst the so called mediator appears to condone the Mugabe regime’ intolerable behaviour through his actions and speeches he has made since this current crisis,” noted Mr. Mutandiro.

He cited President Mbeki’s statement that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe and his alleged lobbying for a government of national unity whilst a constitutional electoral process is pending as some of the disappointing statements.

He alleged President Mbeki has not made a statement on President Mugabe ‘s stand that he was not prepared to hand over power to the opposition.
He further pointed out that promises to both regional and international leaders have been made that the issue of Zimbabwe would be resolved within six months by President Mbeki but that it was now 8 years without any solution.

“President Mbeki might have his own personal views about President Morgan Tsvangirayi of which he is democratically entitled to but the fact of the matter is that he has no right whatsoever to determine the will of the people of Zimbabwe,” pointed out Mr. Mutandiro.

He noted that the period towards the Presidential runoff of 27th June has seen innocent Zimbabweans tortured, some killed, homes burnt and MDC President Tsvangirayi unlawfully arrested.

He pointed out that the MDC was not against a government of National Unity but wondered why there was no called for this type of government when Mr. Mugabe robbed the elections in 2000, 20002 and 2005.

He also wondered what the purpose of the election process enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution was if election results are not respected.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mutandiro said the liberation struggle was not about creation of a monarchy in Zimbabwe but that it was about freeing the majority from the oppression of the minority.

The MDC South Africa Chairman pointed out that every Zimbabwean participated in the liberation struggle in different role and that it is a shameful that a Black Nationalist clique is using its guerilla war credentials to lay claim as the sole and legitimate heir to political power in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Mutandiro said Mr. Mugabe was not in order to claim that he is the sole and legitimate heir to the political power and continuing holding the people of Zimbabwe at ransom.

He called upon the Mugabe regime to immediately stop acts of violence, killings, torture, rape abductions and arrest of MDC activists and leadership.

ZANIS/CBM/MK/ENDS

President Mwanawasa has expressed disappointment at the high number of Zambian High Commissioners and Ambassadors who were allegedly abrogating financial regulations in their missions.

Addressing Zambian High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to various countries at State house today, Dr. Mwanawasa said he had received reports that most envoys were disregarding laid down financial regulations as they run the missions abroad.

He said the alleged rampant disregard for financial regulations has prompted him to send auditors to foreign missions to carry out special audits.

“I am disappointed to note that the preliminary information I have gathered so far paints a negative picture. Most of you are not managing the public resources that are entrusted to you diligently,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa has since warned high commissioners and ambassadors saying he would not hesitate to discipline any one of them who would be found mismanaging public funds.

“You should all be mindful that government does not have sufficient resources. I therefore, expect you top be responsible enough to exercise prudent management of the meager resources available,” he said.

The President has also reminded the envoys that their primary role was to encourage and influence the flow of investment from the countries they operated from into Zambia.

He pointed out that Zambia has recorded positive strides towards recovering from the economic depression the country suffered before he assumed office.

“Zambia is not an island and we do not on our own have sufficient resources to exploit the abundant inert wealth which this country is endowed with. We should invite the outside to bring the much needed foreign direct investment to come and assist us develop this country,” he said.

He said ambassadors and high commissioners have a duty to understand and articulate various government policies and development achievements to interested parties in their countries of accreditation.

Dr. Mwanawasa further called on the envoys to be proactive and innovative by coming up with useful and creative ideas that could assists government steer the country to accelerated development.

The President also warned the envoys against criticizing government and its policies in the pretext of being intellectuals.

“A diplomat must demonstrate his or her intellectualism within the confines of government policies. As diplomats, you are not expected to express personal opinions, but rather you should always champion the position of government on any given issue of interest to Zambia,” he warned.

Dr. Mwanawasa however expressed hope that the diplomats would continue drive Zambia, through their efforts, towards achieving an economic success.

He thanked them for the efforts they have made to develop the country in their discharge of duties.

The Zambian diplomats accredited to foreign countries have been attending a 2008 Heads of Missions conference since Monday this week.

Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa is expected in Katete district in Eastern Province next week to drum up support for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD)candidate Reuben Banda in the Milanzi constituency Parliamentary by-election.

According to a State House programme availed to ZANIS in Katete today by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Kelvin Kamuwanga, Dr Mwanawasa is expected to take off from Lusaka on Monday at 14:30 hours and arrive at Katete Air Strip at 15:40 hours.

On Tuesday morning, he will pay a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Gawa Undi of the Chewa people at his palace and later meet Chiefs Kawaza and Kathumba at chief Kawaza’s palace.

The Itinerary indicates that later in the afternoon on the same day, the President will hold a rally at Kawaza village.

On Wednesday, Dr Mwanawasa is expected to hold another rally at Kagoro Basic School grounds from 11:00 hours after which he will depart for Lusaka at 13:00.

ZANIS/ENDS/LN/CLM

A United Liberal Party official in Kafue says the party will not take the invitation by UPND to join the party seriously because the UPND has not changed for the better from the time, Anderson Mazoka, died.

ULP Southern Province Vice Chairman, Manda Mwansa, has charged that UPND President, Hakainde Hichilema, is being unrealist by inviting ULP to join UPND and form one party.

Speaking in an interview in Kafue today, Mr Mwansa said that UPND has not shown any remorse for the violence, corruption and tribalism some members of the party have allegedly exhibited since the demise of late leaders Mazoka.

Mr Mwansa instead advised Mr Hichilema to consider joining ULPsaid it is Hakainde who should join ULP as he has allegedly exhibited desperation to work with ULP leader Sakwiba Sikota.

He said Mr Sakwiba has leadership attributes necessary for leading a nation.

He accused Mr Hichilema of having destroyed UPND by appointing more of his tribesmen to run affairs of the party.

Mr Mwansa also disclosed that more than 200 cadres have defected from UPND to join ULP because the party has lost vision based on principles and integrity.

ZANIS/BS/CMM/ENDS/SJK

The Copperbelt Provincial Office says there is need for more information on the Chambishi Multi Facility Economic Zone (M-phase project), if the local people were to understand what the project was all about.

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Jennipher Musonda said there was need for more information on the project to be availed to the people
for them to understand it.

The Permanent Secretary said this would also enable her office to take up the issues and explain competently to the people.

She said this yesterday when the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs which had gone to Chambishi to assess M phase project, paid a courtesy call on her at her office.

Mrs Musonda said she was impressed that the Committee had made an effort to check on the project to gather information about it.

And speaking earlier, Committee Chairperson Given Lubinda said that there was need for the managers of the M-Phase project to build closer relationship with the community.

He pointed out that the Committee observed that there was so much investment in Chambishi that needed to be exploited to develop the area.

Mr. Lubinda has since urged managers of the M-Phase project which kicked off a few months ago to share information with major stakeholders and the people on the ground, because its success depended on them.

The Committee was expected to hold a meeting with management of Non Ferros Africa Mining Company (NFC), the company spearheading the project but could not because the General Manager Tao Xianghu and his deputy Zan Baossen were out of the country.

Chambishi on the Copperbelt has been earmarked for an economic zone and the project is expected to culminate into diverse investment.
ZANIS/ZANIS/EZ/CMM/CLM/

A 23- year- old bus conductor died on the spot when a Lusaka bound Combs coach services Scania bus allegedly ran over him.

The Eastern Province Police chief explained that it is alleged that the late Victor Sichula was leaning against the door of the bus whilst it was moving and as the bus driver tried to avoid hitting into potholes the door opened pushing the bus conductor out. He said it was at this moment that the rear left wheels run-over him leaving him dead.

Mr. Mundene wondered why the deceased decided to stand by the door side when the bus was not full as it had only 34 passengers on board.

He said depending on the outcome of Police investigations, the driver of the bus will be arrested and charged for the offence of dangerous driving.