July 30, 2013.
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:

 

Zimbabwe’s election campaign ends with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai pushing Rival Robert Mugabe to retirement.

Congress of South African Trade Unions president Sidumo Dlamini says the union is still waiting for a full report on Zwelinzima Vavi’s rape allegations. 

And, the ANC respects courts decision to dismiss an application to nullify the council meeting at which Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle was unseated.

 

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has vowed to pack entrenched President Robert Mugabe off into retirement at a thunderous final campaign rally, capping a high-spirited election race that has gone down to the wire.

Speaking to 50 000 red-clad supporters in a Harare parade ground, Tsvangirai struck a conciliatory note towards Mugabe, saying he was not after revenge or prosecution, despite the death of 200 MDC supporters in disputed polls in 2008.

The election results rely on whether Mugabe's control of the state media and security forces, the loyalty of independence war veterans and rural voters, and alleged irregularities with the voters' register, are enough to secure Africa's oldest leader another five years in power.

Around 6.4-million people, almost half the population, are registered to vote although critics say the list is riddled with irregularities such as legions of dead people and, in some areas, more voters than residents.

 

A radio station reported on Tuesday that the Congress of South African Trade Unions is still waiting for the full report of an internal hearing involving a complaint against its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini wouldn’t comment on rumours that Vavi could still face disciplinary action, despite his rape accuser withdrawing her grievance.

Vavi made public on Saturday that a woman had laid a complaint of rape against him. He alleged that the woman and her husband were trying to extort R2-million from him.

No criminal charge was laid against Vavi, but an internal grievance hearing took place on Monday, during which the woman withdrew her complaint.

 

The African National Congress says it respects the decision by the High Court in Pretoria on Monday to dismiss an application to nullify the council meeting at which Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle was unseated.

Judge Neil Tuchten said that the council meeting and the decisions of the council to remove Maphetle and vote in Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink as mayor were lawful.

ANC North West spokesperson Kenny Morolong said the ANC maintains its respect for the judiciary and the ability of the courts to dispense justice without fear or favour.

DA leader Helen Zille said the party welcomed the judgment and said it now officially governed Tlokwe, and would do so for the foreseeable future.

 

Also making headlines:

A secular party in Tunisia's ruling Islamist-led coalition demands a unity government.

Only a few Zimbabweans in the diaspora make the trek home to vote in Wednesday’s elections.

And, Mali celebrated the robust turnout and lack of violence in its high-stakes election on Monday.
 

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.