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Zimbabwe's presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai addresses a media conference in Harare on August 3, 2013/AFP

Africa

Zimbabwe opposition readies Mugabe challenge

But there was a voice of dissent from Botswana, which said it will lobby southern African leaders for an audit of the vote.

“Various incidents and circumstances were revealed that call into question whether the entire electoral process, and thus its final result, can be recognised as having been fair, transparent and credible,” said Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani.

The MDC also had support further afield, with the United States and European nations including Britain condemning the election, and Australia even calling for a re-run.

Mugabe and his allies still face a number of Western sanctions.

The Zimbabwe stock exchange plunged 11 percent on Monday, the first day of trading since the results were issued, with foreign-owned stocks registering steep losses.

The MDC also took a hammering in the parliamentary vote, winning just 49 seats out of the 210 up for grabs – down more than half from its 2008 performance – against 160 for Mugabe’s party.

Analysts say that the MDC needs to completely rebuild if it is to rebound in the wake of its defeat.

“It needs a comprehensive introspection… just as ZANU-PF did when it was almost on its knees in 2008,” said University of Zimbabwe political analyst Eldred Masunungure.

We stand solidly behind Morgan Tsvangirai as our president, he said. The MDC is regrouping; we are gearing for a fresh election whenever it comes.

“That may entail leadership review, especially at the top,” he said.

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Mwonzora however dismissed suggestions that it was time Tsvangirai was replaced as party leader.

“We stand solidly behind Morgan Tsvangirai as our president,” he said. “The MDC is regrouping; we are gearing for a fresh election whenever it comes.

“If there is anything which has reunited us… (it) is this theft.”

Aggrieved MDC parliamentary hopefuls who are alleging fraud will have their complaints heard by the electoral court.

The complaints must be heard and settled within six months but will not stop the swearing-in of deputies.

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