Published: 13 August 2013

President Robert Mugabe says his party won "a resounding mandate" from voters to complete a sweeping black empowerment programme to take over foreign and white-owned assets.

Mugabe said on Tuesday the programme in Zimbabwe, though criticised by Western countries, will be "pursued to its successful conclusion".

Outgoing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, 61, is challenging the results of the 31 July election and alleges widespread vote rigging that gave Mugabe, 89, and his party a commanding victory.

Addressing military parades on the annual Defence Forces holiday, Mugabe said voters ended an unwieldy coalition with Tsvangirai's opposition that was formed after the last violent and disputed elections in 2008.

Mugabe said the vote showed confidence in his Zanu-PF party and its drive for "total economic emancipation" for prosperity and jobs.

- AP

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