Zimbabwe Presidential candidates concede defeat

SOME of the presidential candidates in Wednesday's harmonised elections last night conceded defeat, following the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's pronouncement of President Mnangagwa as winner of the poll.

Eleven presidential candidates stood in this year's elections. They were the incumbent, President Mnangagwa (Zanu-PF); Mr Joseph Makamba Busha (Free Zim Congress); Mr Nelson Chamisa (CCC); Mr Trust Chikohora (ZCPD); Mr Blessing Kasiyamhuru (ZIPP); Professor Lovemore Madhuku (NCA); Mr Wilbert Mubaiwa (NPC); Mr Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa (UANC); Mr Douglas Mwonzora (MDC); Ms Elisabeth Valerio (UZA); and Mr Harry Peter Wilson (DOP).

In an interview soon after announcement of the results, Mr Muzorewa, who was represented by his secretary-general, Mr Michael Nyamande, said they accept the results as free and fair.

"We, as the UNC party, are very happy with the outcome," he said.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) representative Mr Robert Mhlanga said it is time to go back to the drawing board.

"We need to move forward as Zimbabwe, as that is the most important thing. This is what we want as Zimbabweans. We need so much peace, irrespective of whatever failings we might have. Peace is the best thing moving forward."

Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development (ZCPD) president Mr Trust Chikohora said he was gracious in defeat.

"It's an expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe at this point in time. We take this opportunity to congratulate President Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF on their victory and we wish them well as they govern this country in the next five years," he said.

Mr Chikohora said Zimbabwe's challenges will only be solved through working together.

"It is against this background that ZCPD stands ready to work with the elected Government to improve the lives of our people, as well as deepen our democracy in the next five years.

"We will do this guided by the following principles: constitutionalism and the rule of law; national values and principles of good governance; devolution; peaceful co-existence and tolerance of divergent views."

A representative of the Zimbabwe Partnership for Prosperity (ZIPP), which is led by Mr Kasiyamhuru, said:

"We accept these results, everything was done in a peaceful manner and we should applaud that. We were all given a chance to verify our results and we are happy with what we saw.

"What we now need is peace in the country so that we move. We need to work together to move forward."