Mugabe party claims 'emphatic' election victory

A senior member of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's party claimed Thursday that the veteran leader had won a comprehensive victory in the fiercely fought presidential election.

   

"We have won, all of them including the presidential and parliamentary," a top party member told AFP, saying Mugabe had won against his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai and that the party has retaken many urban parliamentary seats.

   

"We have romped (to victory) in a very emphatic manner. We have defeated the MDC."

   

Voes are still being counted in the vote, which could see Mugabe's 33-year rule extended but which was marred by claims of irregularities and rigging by Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

   

-Sapa-AFP