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31 July.
However, his threats were immediately dismissed by Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo, who said the decision by the Constitutional Court was final and there would be no postponement of the crucial polls expected to end the tenure of the inclusive Government.
“We are not going to postpone the elections because the decision by the court is final. If Mr Tsvangirai says he wants to boycott he can go ahead. As far as Zanu-PF is concerned we are going ahead with the elections.
“We will not allow outside forces to dictate to us on how and when we should hold our own elections,” said Cde Gumbo.
Mr Tsvangirai made the threat while addressing leaders and representatives of civic organisations in Bulawayo yesterday. He reiterated that the elections should be held by 31 October despite a ruling by the Constitutional Court.
“We are worried about some individuals manipulating the courts on the issue of elections. In responding to an individual applicant you want to marginalise and undermine the rights of millions of Zimbabweans because you have not fulfilled certain constitutional positions required by the constitution before holding an election.
“We need media reforms, we want a partial and non-partisan State media and a security sector which is professional and that does not campaign for any political party,” he said.
“We want a voter registration for anyone who wants to vote in the election and therefore voters must not be disenfranchised whether an alien or first time voter, they must be allowed to vote in terms of the constitution.
“The old constitution is very clear as far as Amendment Number 19 is concerned. It says the President and Prime Minister shall decide and consult each other and I was not consulted.
“President Mugabe says he is going to comply with the court ruling but it is not practical if the outcome is not going to be contested.
“We might consider boycotting in the absence of media and security sector reforms. We can only have a free and fair credible election by end of October not within six weeks.”
Mr Tsvangirai refuted reports that his visit to Bulawayo was to try and quell factionalism that has rocked his party in the province.
He, however, admitted that some members within party structures were disgruntled over the manner in which the primary elections were conducted.
MDC-T primary elections in Bulawayo also exposed the deep seated factionalism in the party with observers saying they turned out to be a contest between the factions led by the party’s provincial chairperson, Mr Gorden Moyo and Mzilikazi Senator, Mr Matson Hlalo.
Mr Tsvangirai also met the local business community during which participants grilled him over failure by his party to come up with tangible policies to arrest the de-industrialisation of the city.
Online Reporter