TsvangiraI apologies for participating in 2013 polls

Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has apologised to Zimbabweans for agreeing to participate in the 2013 elections in the absence of requisite reforms demanded by the party and Sadc before the controversial polls.

Last Thursday night while unveiling his party's "Without Reforms, No Elections" document, the veteran opposition leader, whose party turns 16 this month, said they made a mistake.

"We were wrong in 2013 and we cannot afford to be wrong again in 2015. This time, we are insisting on the implementation of what we agreed together as political players under the auspices of the regional body."

In the document, the MDC leader sets out conditions that would see him taking part in future elections.

He said it is wrong to  assume that "the sheer numbers of Zimbabweans would overwhelm whatever shenanigans Zanu PF had planned, to subvert the will of the people".

Tsvangirai also demanded that mechanisms be put in place to ensure that in future polls, traditional leaders do not frog-march people to vote for certain political parties as has become the norm in Zimbabwe's politics.

Mugabe has been accused of taking advantage of his incumbency to direct traditional leaders who are on the public service payroll to coerce people to support Zanu PF.