Presidential election in Zimbabwe may be delayed

Published on Sunday 11 May 2008 21:57

MORGAN Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's opposition leader, is set to return home today to deal Robert Mugabe a "final knock-out" in a run-off presidential vote.

Mr Tsvangirai yesterday met Eduardo dos Santos, the Angolan president and head of the security committee of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to demand the 14-state body ensure the run-off is free and fair.

The leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said the run-off should take place by 24 May, as required by law.

However, Bright Matonga, Zimbabwe's deputy information minister, said the run-off could be delayed for up to a year, allowing Mr Mugabe to continue in power. His claim was backed by George Chiweshe, head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, who said his staff did not have enough time to organise another election by 24 May.

Meanwhile, 56 MDC activists were arrested in Shamva, north of Harare, opposition lawyer Alec Muchadehama said yesterday.