MUGABE IS HEREBY INVITED TO A TV DEBATE

Meanwhile, Tsvangirai has also challenged Mugabe to a live television debate to discuss their party policies ahead of the elections. Tsvangirai told supporters at a rally in Gweru that the debate would help voters see who has the best plan to uplift their lives. "As we move closer to the election, I am also challenging Mugabe to a live debate on television, where each one of us will articulate our policies on how to make Zimbabwe a better place. ”I am challenging all the presidential candidates to a public debate so that Zimbabweans can see who has the best plan to uplift the lives of Zimbabweans," Tsvangirai said.

Tsvangirai said he was not afraid of such a debate as his party had clear people-oriented policies. "This is a defining election because it is the last mile," he said. In more progressive countries, politicians take part in televised debates where they get the opportunity to articulate their policies to the electorate. If Mugabe accepts Tsvangirai's challenge, it will be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe. Mugabe, however, has in the past turned down such challenges and in the current campaign, the 89-year-old Zanu PF candidate has been criticised for spending campaign hours dwelling on history instead of pushing through his party’s policies for the people if he is re-elected.