Mnangagwa tells SADC leaders his election was clean

PRESIDENT-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose electoral victory is being challenged in Zimbabwean courts, on Friday told his SADC peers he was elected cleanly in an election in which all his challengers were allowed to campaign freely, NewZimbabwe.com reported.

He was speaking in his maiden speech address to Head of States and Government at the 38th SADC summit meeting in Windhoek, Namibia.

"All political parties were free to campaign in all parts of the country however they saw fit," he said, adding that he led the campaign for peaceful elections in the country.

"This saw an unprecedented number of people freely exercising their democratic right to elect leaders of their choice in the spirit of transparency and openness.

"Our elections were held in the full glare of a broader spectrum of international observers and global media."

Mnangagwa polled 50,8 percent of the national vote while his closest challenger, Nelson Chamisa of MDC Alliance got 44,3 percent.

The state leader's victory is being challenged by Chamisa who insists the incumbent connived with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to steal his victory.

The hearing in the matter has been set for August 22 at the Constitutional Court.