Key politicians switch support to Mugabe's presidential rival

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

BULAWAYO (AFP) — Two political heavyweights endorsed former minister Simba Makoni's bid for the Zimbabwean presidency Saturday -- including a serving official with the party of rival candidate President Robert Mugabe.

Dumiso Dabengwa, a former home affairs minister and a member of the ruling ZANU-PF party's key decision making body, became the first ruling party heavyweight to come out in support of Makoni.

Makoni was also backed by Cyril Ndebele, a former speaker of parliament.

Both men joined Makoni to declare their support at a press conference in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo, where Makoni was later to launch his election campaign.

"It's not about Makoni's capability or strength," Dabengwa said.

"It's about the people of Zimbabwe...