News / National
'May SA stop its negative voice, I could've been arrested' - Mugabe
21 Jul 2013 at 10:34hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe yesterday said he would have been arrested for contempt of court had he not declared July 31 the date for elections.
Addressing party supporters at a rally in Gwanda, Mugabe said he had no choice but comply with a Constitutional Court judgment that polls be held before the end of July.
"I could have declared July 1 or 2 or 15, but I chose the last day of the month so that we could prepare for elections, but they still say they wanted more time," he said.
"What did you want me to do? I could have been arrested."
Mugabe said the African Union had given Zimbabwe the thumbs-up to proceed on elections, but he had no kind words for his South African counterpart President Jacob Zuma and his international affairs adviser Lindiwe Zulu.
"May South Africa stop its negative voice. I appeal to Zuma to stop this woman speaking on Zimbabwe," he said.
Zulu recently voiced her concern that Zimbabwe might not be ready for elections, but Mugabe has taken offence at this, describing Zulu as a street woman.
Mugabe said Zuma's predecessor Thabo Mbeki was the only one who spoke on Zimbabwe and the South African leader should emulate that, instead of using Zulu.
Despite various reports of his ailing health, Mugabe addressed his second rally in as many days, standing for more than two hours, as he gave party supporters a history lesson.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross had to attend to numerous people who collapsed in the packed stadium.
Addressing party supporters at a rally in Gwanda, Mugabe said he had no choice but comply with a Constitutional Court judgment that polls be held before the end of July.
"I could have declared July 1 or 2 or 15, but I chose the last day of the month so that we could prepare for elections, but they still say they wanted more time," he said.
"What did you want me to do? I could have been arrested."
Mugabe said the African Union had given Zimbabwe the thumbs-up to proceed on elections, but he had no kind words for his South African counterpart President Jacob Zuma and his international affairs adviser Lindiwe Zulu.
Zulu recently voiced her concern that Zimbabwe might not be ready for elections, but Mugabe has taken offence at this, describing Zulu as a street woman.
Mugabe said Zuma's predecessor Thabo Mbeki was the only one who spoke on Zimbabwe and the South African leader should emulate that, instead of using Zulu.
Despite various reports of his ailing health, Mugabe addressed his second rally in as many days, standing for more than two hours, as he gave party supporters a history lesson.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross had to attend to numerous people who collapsed in the packed stadium.
Source - southerneye
