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Mugabe rival wins key supporter Mugabe rival wins key supporter
(about 1 hour later)
Simba Makoni, a former Zimbabwean finance minister who plans to challenge Robert Mugabe for the presidency, has won the backing of a key politician.Simba Makoni, a former Zimbabwean finance minister who plans to challenge Robert Mugabe for the presidency, has won the backing of a key politician.
Former interior minister Dumiso Dabengwa is the first Zanu-PF political heavyweight to endorse Mr Makoni's bid. Former Interior Minister Dumiso Dabengwa is the first Zanu-PF political heavyweight to endorse Mr Makoni's bid.
The announcement came as Mr Makoni was set to launch his election campaign for the 29 March presidential vote. Speaking at the launch of Mr Makoni's campaign for the 29 March vote, he said it was time for a new leadership.
Mr Makoni's entry makes the election a three-way contest that also involves opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.Mr Makoni's entry makes the election a three-way contest that also involves opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
President Mugabe has called his opponents "witches" and "charlatans". He also called his rivals "traitors and two-headed creatures".President Mugabe has called his opponents "witches" and "charlatans". He also called his rivals "traitors and two-headed creatures".
All Makoni is doing is to create an environment where we can say how we want our country to be governed Dumiso Dabengwa We are in a movement for renewal, revival Simba Makoni
Launching his re-election campaign on Friday, he said he was certain of victory in the presidential and parliamentary polls later this month.Launching his re-election campaign on Friday, he said he was certain of victory in the presidential and parliamentary polls later this month.
Mr Mugabe has been in power since the country gained independence from the UK in 1980.Mr Mugabe has been in power since the country gained independence from the UK in 1980.
'For the people''For the people'
Former parliament speaker Cyril Ndebele joined Mr Dabengwa at a news conference with Mr Makoni in Zimbabwe's second-largest city of Bulawayo. Former parliamentary speaker Cyril Ndebele joined Mr Dabengwa at the rally with Mr Makoni in Zimbabwe's second-largest city of Bulawayo.
"We urged him [Mr Makoni] to come clean and take the burden and we will give him the necessary facilitation and support," said Mr Dabengwa, who served as interior minister under Robert Mugabe. "It is time they give way to a new leadership that can face up to the challenges facing our country," said Mr Dabengwa, who served as interior minister under Robert Mugabe.
"It is not about his ability or strength. It's about the people of Zimbabwe and enabling them to chart the manner in which we can face the challenges," he said.
Robert Mugabe is hoping to secure his sixth term in powerRobert Mugabe is hoping to secure his sixth term in power
"All Makoni is doing is to create an environment where we can say how we want our country to be governed."
Mr Dabengwa was head of intelligence with Joshua Nkomo's forces during the liberation war in the 1970s.Mr Dabengwa was head of intelligence with Joshua Nkomo's forces during the liberation war in the 1970s.
Soon after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, he was charged with treason - by President Mugabe's government - but acquitted.Soon after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, he was charged with treason - by President Mugabe's government - but acquitted.
In recent years, he has been a senior member of Zanu-PF's powerful politburo.In recent years, he has been a senior member of Zanu-PF's powerful politburo.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Makoni said: "I am not against Mugabe, I am just for the people."
"We are in a movement for renewal, revival," he said, adding: "There are still many in Zanu-PF and some in the MDC who are also going to come out and support me."
Economic plungeEconomic plunge
The economy has collapsed under Mr Mugabe's rule, with the annual inflation rate at more than 100,000%.The economy has collapsed under Mr Mugabe's rule, with the annual inflation rate at more than 100,000%.
He blames the state of the country on Western sanctions imposed following allegations that he rigged the 2002 polls.He blames the state of the country on Western sanctions imposed following allegations that he rigged the 2002 polls.
The sanctions are targeted at Mr Mugabe and his close associates - they are subject to a travel ban and an assets freeze in the European Union and the US.The sanctions are targeted at Mr Mugabe and his close associates - they are subject to a travel ban and an assets freeze in the European Union and the US.
As well as hyper-inflation, there are food and fuel shortages and just one in five adults is believed to have a job.As well as hyper-inflation, there are food and fuel shortages and just one in five adults is believed to have a job.