BULAWAYO – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF have no power to set fresh election dates without consulting him, as he snubbed the burial of Mugabe’s sister Sabina.

While most top government officials were at the National Heroes Acre in Harare for Sabina Mugabe’s burial, Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Thokhozani Khupe were in Bulawayo meeting their structures and supporters Sunday.

Sabina was declared national hero by the Zanu PF politburo and the MDC has always said that Mugabe’s party should not be the only one to decide who is a hero or not.

Addressing a rally at Stanley Square in Makokoba, Tsvangirai told about 10000 MDC supporters that Mugabe and his party have no power to set elections dates.

“Mugabe and Zanu PF have no power to set election dates without consulting me and I also don’t have power to set election dates without consulting him. So don’t listen to this talk about elections from them, because they cannot do that without consulting me,” said Tsvangirai.

Two weeks ago President Mugabe’s Zanu PF said that there was “no reason” for Zimbabwe not to hold elections in 2011.

Tsvangirai also said people in Matabeleland region have been marginalised for a long time and it was high time they should be allowed to share the national cake.

“People from this region have marginalized for a longtime and it’s high time they should be allowed to share the national cake. Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) will be in Bulawayo very soon to consult, please make sure you include the issue of devolution so that you can also benefit from national cake”.

He said devolution of power is not about tribalism but about sharing the national wealth.

“Some people think that when we talk about devolution of power we talk of tribalism or separation of the state but that’s not true .What we are saying is that whether you are from Dotito, Mt Darwin, Matabeleland or any other part of the country you should benefit from the national wealth,” he said.

The Makokoba rally was also attended by deputy Prime Minister and MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe, Information and Technology Minister and MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa, State Enterprises and Parastatals Minister Gordon Moyo, deputy information Minister Murisi Zvizwai, MDC National Organizing Secretary, Elias Mudzuri and party Treasurer Roy Bennett.

Tsvangirai also held another rally in Hwange on Saturday

By Special correspondent