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Mugabe challenger wins important supporter


Published: March 1, 2008 at 1:20 PM
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HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 1 (UPI) -- Former Zimbabwean Finance Minister Simba Makoni won the support of an important politician in his race for presidency against Robert Mugabe, it was reported.

Former Interior Minister Dumiso Dabengwa has become the first major Zanu-PF politician to back Makoni for the March 29 vote for president, the BBC reported.

Mugabe, who has been the head of Zimbabwe's government since it became an independent country in 1980, reportedly has called his challengers "witches," "charlatans" and "traitors and two-headed creatures."

"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. All Makoni is doing is to create an environment where we can say how we want our country to be governed," Dabengwa said.

Since Mugabe has been in power, Zimbabwe's economy has experienced hyper-inflation, fuel and food shortages and severe unemployment problems.

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