News / National
MDC-T was aware Zanu-PF wanted to rig elections, says Biti
06 Aug 2013 at 06:26hrs | Views
MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti yesterday said his party had been aware Zanu-PF would attempt to rig the election, but had never imagined the vote theft would be of such magnitude.
"We actually never thought Zanu-PF would rig to the extent that they did. The extent of rigging was shocking, to say the least," he said.
Biti also said the MDC-T participated in the poll under pressure from their supporters who were itching for elections, confident of victory in spite of Zanu-PF's rigging.
"If MDC (T) had not participated in this election, the people would have been extremely bitter. The people actually said if we opt to pull out, who then would stand in for them?" he said.
Biti denied media reports that his party had ignored advice from Zuma not to participate in the elections on the grounds that the ground was not even. He said the MDC-T was not aware of any such advice.
"I am actually shocked to hear there is such a report. There was never such a suggestion raised at all the formal meetings we attended in Maputo," Biti said.
"We actually never thought Zanu-PF would rig to the extent that they did. The extent of rigging was shocking, to say the least," he said.
Biti also said the MDC-T participated in the poll under pressure from their supporters who were itching for elections, confident of victory in spite of Zanu-PF's rigging.
"If MDC (T) had not participated in this election, the people would have been extremely bitter. The people actually said if we opt to pull out, who then would stand in for them?" he said.
Biti denied media reports that his party had ignored advice from Zuma not to participate in the elections on the grounds that the ground was not even. He said the MDC-T was not aware of any such advice.
"I am actually shocked to hear there is such a report. There was never such a suggestion raised at all the formal meetings we attended in Maputo," Biti said.
Source - newsday
