A process similar to South Africa's Truth and reconciliation Commission would be needed in Zimbabwe after the rule of President Robert Mugabe, his opposition said on Wednesday.

Simba Makoni's campaign manager, Nkosana Moyo was addressing journalists in Johannesburg.

Should Makoni win Zimbabwe's presidential elections on Saturday, he would create a government of national unity, said Moyo.

His cabinet would include not only members of Mugabe's other opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change, but civil society and Mugabe's own Zanu-PF party.

Makoni would also be sympathetic to Mugabe, in that same way that he had been sympathetic to former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith.

Moyo said the foundation of Makoni's campaign was law and order. This encompassed property rights. Under his presidency land policy would be revisited, said Moyo.

If anyone had lost a farm without justification this would be looked at, he said.

Makoni has accused Zanu-PF of trying to steal the elections. However, Moyo voiced confidence that Makoni would nonetheless win.

Irrespective of the outcome, Moyo said that Makoni was in Zimbabwe "to stay and contribute to the democratisation of the country."

Asked who Makoni would side with should there be a run-off, Moyo said it would be a case of Mugabe on the one side and everyone else on the other.

He did not foresee the violent clashes which characterised the recent election in Kenya, and indeed many previous elections in Zimbabwe itself.

This time around Zanu-PF was deeply divided, with many members supporting the opposition.

"This election is different."

Moyo said Makoni was aware of the dangers and was taking the necessary precautions.