Simba Makoni, a former Zimbabwean finance minister who plans to challenge Robert Mugabe for the presidency, has won the backing of a key politician, BBC online reports Saturday.
Former Interior Minister Dumiso Dabengwa is the first Zanu-PF political heavyweight to endorse Mr Makonis bid. Speaking at the launch of Mr Makonis campaign for the 29 March vote, Mr. Dabengwa said it was time for a new leadership.
Mr Makonis entry makes the election a three-way contest that also involves opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Former parliamentary speaker Cyril Ndebele joined Mr Dabengwa at the rally with Mr Makoni in Zimbabwes second-largest city of Bulawayo. – 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.
Robert Mugabe is hoping to secure his sixth term in power
Mr Dabengwa was head of intelligence with Joshua Nkomos forces during the liberation war in the 1970s. Soon after Zimbabwes 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.
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. There are still many in Zanu-PF and some in the MDC who are also going to come out and support me.
The economy has collapsed under Mr Mugabes rule, with the annual inflation rate at a stunning 100.000 per cent.
