(Last Updated on July 30, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBAWE – PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe says he will step down if he loses Wednesday’s elections.
Addressing journalists at State House today, Mugabe said he was confident of a victory but would accept a loss.
“That’s a normal thing. If you go into a process and join in a competition where there are only two outcomes, a win or a loss, you can’t revolt. You either win or lose. If you lose you must surrender to those who won…” he said.
Responding to a question on generals, Mugabe also said the security forces would not prevent the transfer of power should he lose the elections. He said the generals who had said they would not accept anyone without war credentials were not the army.
“You are putting it as if all the generals said so (they would not accept a person without liberation credentials). It’s just one or two and they are not the army. They are law abiding people, very law abiding and its military discipline they obey,” he said.
Mugabe expressed confidence he would win the polls but did not rule out another coalition government if the results are close.
“That circumstance is not envisaged (coalition government). This time I don’t think we will have the same results. I think we will have an outright winner. If its’ not outright, we will discuss,” said Mugabe.
Mugabe said if re-elected he would continue pursuing his indigenisation and empowerment programme while looking at ways of bringing back the Zimbabwean dollar in the long term
Mugabe took time to thank his major rival in the presidential election Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the cabinet for campaign for peace.
Mugabe said although he had a problem with former British leader Tony Blair, he liked the British people, particularly the royal family.
“We don’t have a problem with the British, we actually like them.”