Court rejects plea for release of election results

One of the most extraordinary political dramas in recent African history continues to play out in Zimbabwe which remains on a knife edge as the courts, security forces, war veterans, politicians, neighbouring states and the international community jostle to resolve the impasse which has plunged the country into its latest crisis. And, notes E-Brief News, matters took a sharp turn for the worse yesterday when the High Court, which managed to waste more than a week to get to its decision, ruled against an application by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change seeking the immediate release of results of the 29 March presidential election in a judgment that could plunge the country into a general strike.

The MDC, whose leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has already claimed victory over President Robert Mugabe, is planning to stage a general strike today if results are not released. But President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF, whose loyal generals fear prosecution for crimes against humanity in the event of and MDC government taking office, are steadfastly refusing to hand over power. The MDC says Mugabe is holding back the presidential result to allow him time to prepare a violent response to his biggest electoral setback, when the ruling Zanu-PF lost control of Parliament in a parallel vote on 29 March. MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa is quoted in a Mail & Guardian Online report as saying: ‘Naturally we are very disappointed because I think we have a very strong case. We are going to decide the way forward after meeting our lawyers, but in our view the release of those results is very, very urgent.’