Why Mugabe backed off

President Robert Mugabe backed off from announcing himself winner of the 2008 elections because of the large support for Movement for Democratic Change candidate Morgan Tsvangirai and pressure from the military and his own party.

(82 VIEWS)

Makoni was seen as a spoiler

Simba Makoni’s entry into the 2008 presidential race generated excitement but soon faded as no heavyweights from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front , apart from Dumiso Dabengwa, rallied behind him and he was increasingly seen as a spoiler.

(69 VIEWS)

Tsvangirai surged ahead in poll

A poll by the Mass Public Opinion Institute, three weeks before the March 2008 elections, showed that Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had surged ahead of President Robert Mugabe reversing the tables from a month before.

(114 VIEWS)