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Mugabe rival expelled from party | Mugabe rival expelled from party |
(20 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's ruling party has expelled ex-Finance Minister Simba Makoni who announced he would challenge Robert Mugabe for the presidency in March. | |
"The rules are very clear that anyone who tries to challenge an elected candidate of the party stands expelled," a Zanu-PF spokesman said. | "The rules are very clear that anyone who tries to challenge an elected candidate of the party stands expelled," a Zanu-PF spokesman said. |
President Mugabe will face three challengers as both factions of the opposition are fielding candidates. | President Mugabe will face three challengers as both factions of the opposition are fielding candidates. |
The 83-year-old president told state TV was "raring to go" in the polls. | The 83-year-old president told state TV was "raring to go" in the polls. |
"I am very raring to go and raring to fly," Reuters news agency quotes him as saying on Tuesday. | "I am very raring to go and raring to fly," Reuters news agency quotes him as saying on Tuesday. |
He predicted he would win a landslide victory on 29 March. | He predicted he would win a landslide victory on 29 March. |
'Old wine' | 'Old wine' |
Mr Makoni's status within Zanu-PF has been unclear since a ruling party official said he had effectively expelled himself after announcing last week that he would stand as an independent. | Mr Makoni's status within Zanu-PF has been unclear since a ruling party official said he had effectively expelled himself after announcing last week that he would stand as an independent. |
SIMBA MAKONI Zanu-PF moderniser1980: Named deputy minister aged 302002: Sacked as finance minister after argument with Mugabe2002: Went to South AfricaPossible support of Zanu-PF heavyweight Solomon MujuruTrained chemist Makoni's magic formula | SIMBA MAKONI Zanu-PF moderniser1980: Named deputy minister aged 302002: Sacked as finance minister after argument with Mugabe2002: Went to South AfricaPossible support of Zanu-PF heavyweight Solomon MujuruTrained chemist Makoni's magic formula |
"It was decided to make the expulsion of Simba Makoni clear," Nathan Shamuyarira, a Zanu-PF spokesman, said at a news conference. | "It was decided to make the expulsion of Simba Makoni clear," Nathan Shamuyarira, a Zanu-PF spokesman, said at a news conference. |
"In the case of Simba Makoni ... he stands expelled," he said. | "In the case of Simba Makoni ... he stands expelled," he said. |
After 18 months as finance minister, Mr Makoni was sacked in 2002 over policy differences with Mr Mugabe. | After 18 months as finance minister, Mr Makoni was sacked in 2002 over policy differences with Mr Mugabe. |
Mr Shamuyarira added that anyone in Zanu-PF who decided to back Mr Makoni would also be expelled. | |
He is thought to have the backing of the former army chief Solomon Mujuru whose wife Joyce is vice-president. | |
The 57-year-old is expected to launch his election manifesto this week and has said he will not be fighting the election alone. | |
On Monday, Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he would not join forces with Mr Makoni, who he described as "old wine in a new bottle". | |
There had been speculation that Mr Tsvangirai could stand aside to let Mr Makoni be the main anti-Mugabe challenger. | There had been speculation that Mr Tsvangirai could stand aside to let Mr Makoni be the main anti-Mugabe challenger. |
There are also reports that Arthur Mutambara, from the other faction of the Movement for Democratic Change, could join forces with Mr Makoni. | There are also reports that Arthur Mutambara, from the other faction of the Movement for Democratic Change, could join forces with Mr Makoni. |
The MDC had been insisting on a new constitution before the elections, as well as guarantees they would be free and fair. | The MDC had been insisting on a new constitution before the elections, as well as guarantees they would be free and fair. |
Previous polls have been characterised by violence and allegations of fraud. | Previous polls have been characterised by violence and allegations of fraud. |
Zimbabwe has the world's highest annual rate of inflation - 26,000% - and only an estimated one adult in five has a job. | Zimbabwe has the world's highest annual rate of inflation - 26,000% - and only an estimated one adult in five has a job. |
Mr Mugabe's critics blame the economic crisis on his policies, especially the seizure of white-owned farms. | Mr Mugabe's critics blame the economic crisis on his policies, especially the seizure of white-owned farms. |
He blames a western plot to bring him down. | He blames a western plot to bring him down. |