Mugabe on course for defeat

Last Modified: 01 Apr 2008
By: Jonathan Rugman

After 28 years as Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe may be on the verge of stepping down.

Advisers to President Mugabe and the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are holding talks tonight that could lead to a handover of power.

This is what Channel 4 News has been told by an official source following Mr Tsvangirai's likely victory in the presidential elections.

Independent monitors' projections suggest Mr Tsvangirai has won from 49 per cent to more than 51 per cent of the vote, compared with 42 per cent for President Mugabe.

Sources from President Mugabe's own party have Mr Tsvangirai on 48 per cent and President Mugabe on 43 per cent.

Candidates need 51 per cent for an outright victory, which means there could be a re-run if tonight's talks fail.

We report now on what's looking like the endgame for Robert Mugabe.