Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has dismissed talk of splits within his party as he made his first campaign appearance in the opposition stronghold of Bulawayo.
Hundreds of flag-waving supporters thronged the central Stanley Square in support of the veteran ruler..
The 84-year-old used the rally to denounce former finance minister and presidential hopeful Simba Makoni, ridiculing suggestions that his candidacy highlighted divisions within the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party.
Party youth brandished placards and banners while awaiting Mr Mugabe's arrival for his first rally in Bulawayo, which is dominated by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
At a rally in Harare, opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai predicted victory over Mr Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980.
Morgan Tsvangirai charged that Mr Mugabe had stolen past elections but vowed that his fractured party would fight any fraud in the March 29 vote.
‘We expect the enemies of justice to engage in every trick in the book. We are ready for them (and) those who want to subvert the will of Zimbabweans,
Zimbabweans go to the polls to elect a president, lawmakers and councillors on Saturday.
The elections are taking place against a backdrop of economic crisis with inflation hovering over 100,000%.
