Mugabe admits losing election

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has for the first time publicly admitted that he lost the disputed March 2008 election.

The octogenarian told delegates attending the 11th people's conference in Mutare on Friday that he lost to MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the presidential election because Zanu PF party activists campaigned against him.

Mugabe said he was saved by electoral laws which allow for a run-off if the winner does not garner more than 50 percent of the ballot.

"We heard others saying vote for this one and not this one. I lost some votes as a result of that," he said.
He said the party activists who were behind such machinations did not realise that if he had been dislodged from power, the entire party would have been affected also.

To avoid a repeat of that in the next year's election, Mugabe threatened members of his inner circle and Zanu PF activists who dare deviate from resolutions made in Mutare.

In apparent reference to reports that some of his lieutenants were against holding elections next year, Mugabe said he did not want anybody to oppose what would have been decided at the conference.

He issued the warning amid reports delegates were being whipped into line to endorse his stance on elections.
Mugabe told delegates elections would be held next year because he was unhappy with the goings-on in the inclusive government.

"If we take a decision let's not hear anybody opposing that decision," he said. "You have to accept what the majority of the people have decided."

The issue of holding elections next year has sharply divided Zanu PF's leadership with some arguing the coalition should be allowed to continue because it has brought political stability as well as resuscitating the economy.

There was tension during a politburo meeting held on Monday at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare as the political stalwarts disagreed on the issue.

President Mugabe says he is no longer enthusiastic about the inclusive government arguing Tsvangirai was undermining his authority by allegedly pandering to the wishes of the West.

The 86-year former guerilla leader said the government of national unity should not be allowed to continue and harmonised elections should be held.

"We must combine presidential, parliamentary with local government elections," he said.

He said Zanu PF agreed to work with Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara under the Global Political Agreement as a compromise because they wanted peace and political stability in the country.

Mugabe said Western powers wishing to effect regime change in Zimbabwe were day-dreaming.

He warned diplomats not to meddle in local politics saying he would not hesitate to expel anyone found wanting.

"Any ambassador who does that will be kicked out. We have been too good," he said.

On sanctions, the President said laws should be enacted to deal with individuals or groups that advocated for sanctions or restrictive measures against the country.

He said such actions should be equated to treason. "It is treasonous to call enemies to punish our people," he said. "Anybody who does that must be punished."

Mugabe and his party blame Tsvangirai and the MDC-T for urging the West to impose sanctions on the country.The MDC-T denies the accusations saying President Mugabe and his party invited the punitive measures because of their alleged appalling human rights record.