Mugabe must hit the road: MDC

The MDC says Robert Mugabe is not part of the future

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe should not be part of any post election settlement in Zimbabwe and he must go. This is the view of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Secretary-General, Tendai Biti.

Biti was addressing a packed audience at a seminar organised by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation at the Centre for the Book last night. Biti says Mugabe's time is up and he cannot be part of any post election settlement. The MDC has criticised the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the international community for their failure to help change Zimbabwe.

Biti warned businessmen doing business with the Zanu-PF government, saying an MDC government will not honour such transactions. Also taking part in the seminar was the member of the Zimbabwean Crisis Committee Elinor Sisulu.

No date for run-off
Six days since results from an inconclusive March 29 poll were announced, there is still no word on when a second round will take place or whether the MDC will participate. The run-off should take place 21 days after the announcement of the first round results.

Pressure is mounting on Zimbabwe to admit foreign observers to oversee a presidential election run-off amid fresh claims that pro-government militias are deliberately instilling terror. The opposition MDC says 30 supporters have now been killed and a union chief said 40 000 farm workers and their dependents have been made homeless, although the authorities have played down the levels of violence.

President Mbeki visits Zimbabwe
President Thabo Mbeki will travel to Zimbabwe today for talks with the country's leadership. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says Mbeki will meet all political leaders in Zimbabwe. However, Mamoepa has not specified whether this will include opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.