Dumisani Muleya
15 April 2008
Johannesburg — IN A move expected to heighten political tension in Zimbabwe, the Harare High Court yesterday rejected the opposition's bid to force authorities to release results of the presidential election held more than two weeks ago.
The government yesterday stepped up deployment of its security forces, army, police and intelligence units, in anticipation of protest action today.
Dissatisfaction with the court ruling could plunge Zimbabwe into further turmoil as the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called for a general strike, starting today.
The court ruling was a major blow to the party in the wake of another setback. Although the court, in another application by the MDC, ordered a halt in the recounting of ballots, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said the process would go ahead in 23 constituencies on April 19, the day the 21-day window period for the presidential election runoff elapses.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said of yesterday's judgment: "It's a ridiculous and incredible judgment. In essence, it denies the people the right to know results of the election.
"The ruling reveals Zanu (PF)'s hidden hand behind the judiciary. It's as if the judgment was written at Zanu (PF) HQ."
Chamisa said the MDC was looking at "many other options". The general strike was just one.
"We will resort to the people's overwhelming power to resolve the situation," he said, declining to give more detail.
In a sign of growing regional impatience with President Robert Mugabe's antics, SA's African National Congress (ANC) said Zimbabwe was in a state of crisis, according to a national working committee statement issued last night.
"The ANC regards Zanu (PF) as an ally. However, it is concerned with the state of crisis that Zimbabwe is in and perceives this as negative for the entire region," said spokes-woman Jesse Duarte.
The ANC again called for the release of the election results without delay, saying a runoff suggested a lack of respect for the will of the people.
If the results are announced and there is no winner, a runoff should follow but the deadline is April 19, after which Mugabe could use emergency powers to amend the law and declare his own date. It is feared he might choose one in a month's time or longer, prolonging the stalemate.
Sources said the MDC would use mass action to paralyse Mugabe's regime and "push for a negotiated political settlement". A coalition government or government of national unity seemed plausible.
Despite denials from both sides, it is understood they are in talks at the highest levels.
Last night, George Sibotshiwe, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai's spokesman, confirmed the MDC leader was in Johannesburg yesterday, his second visit to shore up support.
The MDC has said it will not participate in a runoff election.
If that transpires, Mugabe will be declared the winner unchallenged. Mug-abe has said he will participate in a runoff.
Zanu (PF) is hoping that the recount will give it a parliamentary majority.
However, the law does not allow for a recount of votes in the presidential election.
The MDC says that the recount in 23 parliamentary constituencies is illegal because Zanu (PF) did not file its complaints within the 48-hour window period set by law. The MDC has rejected the recounts, claiming that Zanu (PF) wants to rig the ballots.
Political analyst Prof Eldred Masunungure said that if Tsvangirai boycotted the runoff, Mugabe would be declared the winner.
"A boycott will throw the whole electoral exercise into disarray."
Lovemore Madhuku, a constitutional expert, said: "The law says those with the highest and the second-highest number of votes in the first round go to a runoff, and if one of them withdraws the other is automatically declared winner."
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