Yet another delay in court

Once again the judge dithers - but is Mugabe under pressure from a new direction?

Harare, Zimbabwe, Monday, April 7, 1.0 pm

High Court judge Tednai Uchena, who yesterday heard the application by Zimbabwe's opposition MDC for the immediate release  of the presidential election results, and who postponed his decision until today, has announced another delay. This morning he postponed his ruling until tomorrow.

MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama commented: "I think the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) just wants to delay the whole thing for as long as possible." But George Chikumbirike, the lawyer for the ZEC, who had argued that the court has no jurisdiction over his agency, insisted that the law should "take its full course."

Meanwhile Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the MDC and projected as winner of the presidential vote, left Zimbabwe this morning on a trip to South Africa. This is the first time he has left the country since the election.

His spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said Tsvangirai hoped to meet with the South African president Thabo Mbeki, a man often criticised for being too lenient with Mugabe. It is thought that there may also be a meeting with incoming SA president Jacob Zuma.

Meanwhile sources tell me that Robert Mugabe has come under pressure to resign from a new and unexpected quarter.

On Sunday he and his family travelled to Nharira, in Chikomba District, Mashonaland East province, to attend the funeral of Junius Takaruza Marufu, uncle to Zimbabwe's First Lady, Grace Marufu Mugabe.

While there Amai (Mother) Grace as she is known, took the opportunity to instigate a family conference. The subject:  Mugabe's future. With her family members, she begged Mugabe to retire gracefully, saying if not he will face an embarrassing defeat in the polls.

Grace, 44, asked him, for the sake of herself and their three children, to consider retiring to their mansion, and to pursue their farming ventures at Gushungo Farm in Banket and the Foyle dairy farm.

My sources tell me she was at her feminine and persuasive best, and Mugabe, trapped by the whole family, found himself agreeing to consider what Grace proposed.

Returning in Harare, however, he is expected to fall back in line with the wishes of his top military men, especially General Chiwenga and Police boss Chihuri, and press ahead with the plan to take part in the run-off vote, and all the violence and mayhem that will go with it.

Comments

[Tawanda]

I think Mugabe realises the logic of conceding to defeat. I think he is aware that Zimbabweans nolonger need him, but the reality of coming face to face with their past deeds will spur him on. Now for most people, this ballot was the last moment they were waiting for to deal with the dictator once and for all! I think people must now get used to the idea that nothing short of confrontation will get Mugabe packing. Ways and means of confronting him should now be our priorities.

[Blatant falsehoods. Shame on you Moses]

I have never seen such lying in my life. If your site wants to go ahead and be like Zimdaily, then so be it. Just don't take us for a ride. The Grace story is just a whole lot of hogwash. Shame on you Moses

[Simba Muchemwa]

this story is rubbish, I agree with Blatant falsehoods, you should not take us for tabloid consumers, this is absolute nonsense.