Shurugwi (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Saturday the ruling Zanu-PF party was poised to win next week’s general elections resoundingly, and cleanly.

Addressing hundreds of thousands of party supporters at his final presidential election rally here before Wednesday’s vote, his said ‘victory is ours’ and ‘certain’.

He is the party’s presidential candidate, seeking a second mandate, and is widely tipped to brush off the challenge from ten other contenders.

“Victory is on the horizon, and is certain,” President Mnangagwa said.

He urged the supporters to vote overwhelmingly for the party to safeguard the gains and legacy of the bitter armed liberation struggle which Zanu-PF fought for the country’s independence.

Part of the gains are the vast developmental projects the government was carrying out throughout the country, the majority at community level, which are lifting millions out of poverty.

These include borehole drilling, road and dam construction, expansion, and provision of new education and health facilities, among others.

Most of the developmental projects have been carried out in the last five years when President Mnangagwa came to power.
He told the rally to campaign and vote in peace to ensure ‘free, fair and transparent elections.’

“Our DNA as the revolutionary party is peace. We preach peace, unity and harmony. We say no, no to violence,” he said.

He added: “Those who differ with us are allowed to do so democratically.”

President Mnangagwa implored foreign election observers to refrain from interfering in the conduct of the plebiscite, and allow the process to run unhindered.

His comments come amid reports Western observers, whose countries have been funding the opposition, were plotting ways to discredit the vote.

“We want free, fair and transparent elections. No one is qualified to teach us democracy because we never got the independence we have today on a silver platter but through 16 years of war,” President Mnangagwa said.

New Ziana