afrol News, 4 April - South Africa's deputy Foreign Minister, Aziz Pahad, has ruled out any possibility by President Robert Mugabe to doctor the election results, for "they have already been displayed to the public."

South African President, Thabo Mbeki, had earlier urged Zimbabweans to remain patient while the official results are being collated.

“The media and many governments are aware that the possibilities of doctoring the results are limited by the fact that results were posted outside every polling stations immediately after the votes were counted," 'The Zimbabwean' quoted Mr Pahad as saying.

His comments have been prompted by widespread national and international outcry over the delay in announcing the presidential results. The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) filed an urgent application at the courts, seeking an order forcing the electoral commission to immediately declare the presidential results.

South African official grilled the media for being impartial and carried away by forces that declare victors of the polls, ahead of the official announcement.

“What is a matter of serious concern is the orchestrated campaign, by sections of the international and South African media, to categorically claim that the delay is a plot by the government to "doctor" and "steal" the elections,” he said.

A meeting of Zanu-PF politburo on Friday throws its weight behind President Mugabe in case there is poll re-run.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean soldiers have reportedly gone berserk in some parts of the country, mercilessly beating supporters of the MDC for their involvement in "premature" election victory celebrations.

At least 17 opposition supporters are reported to have been hospitalised as a result of the beatings.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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