ZIMBABWE:SIMBA MAKONI, the presidential candidate who came third in Zimbabwe's presidential poll in March, has called for the country's election run-off next month to be scrapped to avoid further deaths from political violence.
The former ruling Zanu-PF official and finance minister has thus far refused to publicly back President Robert Mugabe or his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai, in the political contest, saying what the country needs is a unity government instead.
"Our priority is to save the country from an election. If we have to suffer an election, we will take a clear stand at the time," he said on Thursday in Harare.
Zimbabwe's two remaining candidates have once again begun canvassing ahead of the poll on June 27th, even though the post-election violence that has claimed more than 50 lives and left thousands displaced is still ongoing.
Each side has blamed the other for the violence, but the United Nations and humanitarian agencies say the majority of victims have pointed the finger of blame at militias loyal to the ruling regime.
Earlier this month inflation was officially said to be running at more than 1 million per cent.
Moreover, according to Mr Makoni, the daily tasks of running the country have ceased to take place since canvassing for the general election began last January.
"The country does not need another election . . . the violence now gripping the country bodes ill for a free and fair election," he said.
On the same day in a rural area northeast of Harare, Mr Mugabe's wife, Grace Mugabe, told Zanu-PF supporters that Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) would not be allowed to rule under any circumstances.
"Even if people vote for the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai will never step foot inside State House. He will only get to hear about what it looks like inside State House from people who have been there. Even if Baba loses, he will only leave State House to make way for someone from Zanu-PF," she said.
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba have asked the UN to prevent attacks against worshippers in Zimbabwe, citing incidences where they have been"beaten by security and police force attacks on churches across Harare diocese".