PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says he does not harbour any feelings of revenge against President Robert Mugabe, adding that he wants the 89-year-old Zanu PF leader to live long enough to witness his prospective government.
The MDC-T leader was addressing thousands of his supporters at his final 'star rally' on the grounds of the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare on Monday.
"As l stand here before you, l am a survivor. I was beaten and incarcerated for no good reason," Tsvangirai said. "I was treated like a common criminal but l am not bitter. l have reflected upon everything that has happened to me and to my family and l have forgiven my tormentors. l have prayed for them and asked God to forgive them.
"The reason is that l don't want to become a prisoner of bitterness and revenge. I want to be free l also want us to move forward because l am a builder and not a destroyer."
The MDC-T leader, who says hundreds of his followers have been killed by Mugabe loyalists since his party was formed in 1999, urged his supporters not to seek retribution should they win elections slated for Wednesday.
"Ndoda kuti mese muone remangwana. The vision of a new Zimbabwe," Tsvangirai said. "Under my leadership, cast away your bitterness and join me in rebuilding Zimbabwe. Let us show maturity by embracing our erstwhile opponents some of whom are not repentant.
"By walking hand in hand with them as we build a new Zimbabwe, our freedom will never be complete until we throw away the shackles of bitterness after all this is done."
Tsvangirai said he wished Mugabe to live long.
"I want President Mugabe to enjoy his retirement in peace and comfort of his homeland. Ndoda kumutaridza mudhara uyu dai Mwari akamupa hupenyu hwakawanda aone kuti nyika inorhanwa sei, kuti nyika haimhanywi nekuchichidzira vanhu, nyika hairanwi ne violence ne impunity, nyika haimhanywi nechitsotsi, nyika inoranwa ne love of the people," Tsvangirai said to deafening applause from his supporters.
"Toda kuti varhitaya vaMugabe voenda votumwa sezvirikuitwa vana Obasanjo kuti mudhara ndiwe wakaona maelections uchibira ma elections, chimboenda unoona ekwakati kuti varikubira zvakadii ndiwe wavane experience."
Tsvangirai, who was accompanied by Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader Simba Makoni, tried to assure the country's security chiefs, who have vowed support for Mugabe, that he will not pursue them should he win.
"I want to tell you that l Morgan Tsvangirai l hate no-one. l will work with the leadership of our security institutions to make sure that we protect our country in the best effort that we can put across," he said.
At the gates ... Remarkable photo of MDC rally shot from Zanu PF HQ posted on Twitter
The MDC-T leader also pledged to detach party business from his envisaged government.
"Our mission on the state and governance of the people is that we need the state to be transformed," he said.
"Never again should we have the party confused with the government. Party iparty, government is government. Kune vamwe vanosevenzera muhurumende vanofunga kuti Zanu PF ndo alpha and omega of this country. Toda kuti vanhu vanoisevenzera hurumende vazive kuti vanosevenzera vanhu first and foremost."
But Tsvangirai threatened to hunt down politician who have abused state power to generate wealth for themselves as well as reverse suspicious deals made under a Zanu PF administration.
"Tozviziva kuti panemari dze government dzakabiwa. We want accountability for that. No one will get away with stealing away from the people and therefore the responsibility is to review all contracts and projects dzakaitwa dzinechikuruku so that we are able to correct the mistakes of the past."
Tsvangirai said his government will not reverse Mugabe's land reform programme but will bring about land security.
The MDC-T presidential candidate implored his followers not to despair if service during Wednesday's poll is slow insisting ZEC may seek to slow down the voting process in his stronghold urban areas.
He then left them with a message.
"Fellow Zimbabweans, walk with me in this last mile to a new Zimbabwe, a new country of hope and prosperity, walk with me in this memorable journey to set a new trajectory for our beloved country.
"You have an opportunity to elect for the first time a new leadership in this country, a leadership that has the energy and the vision for the future and the will to unite. Let bygones be bygones and allow this country to move forward, indeed a leadership that is not prisoner of the past. We have lost friends and cadres along the way, they will never return to be with us but we owe them one thing, let us go and vote on July 31."
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