30 Jul 2018

Zimbabwe goes to polls in historic election

From Morning Report, 6:46 am on 30 July 2018

Zimbabweans go to the polls later today in an historic election. For the first time in 37 years Robert Mugabe's name won't be on the ballot paper. But in an unusual move the former leader, who was ousted last year, has given a surprise news conference, just hours out from the polls opening. Speaking from his home in Harare, a frail Mr Mugabe said he could not vote for those who had tormented him - referring to the country's current leader Emmerson Mgangawa - and suggested the only viable candidate was the main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. He said since his removal from office, Zimbabwe has not been free. Our correspondent in Zimbabwe, Krista Mahr, was at Robert Mugabe's media conference. She joins us with the details.