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Harare: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's information minister on Thursday dismissed criticism from anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, a day before an internationally condemned run-off election was scheduled to take place.
Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said Mandela was only bowing to Western pressure when he referred to a "tragic failure of leadership" in Zimbabwe.
"Mandela is a statesman. He is courageous, yes he is," Ndlovu said. "I am condemning all Westerners for putting pressure on Mandela."
Former South African president Nelson Mandela made a rare political statement by criticising what he called the 'failure' in Zimbabwe.
Nonetheless, Ndlovu called Mandela a statesman, and said he condemned the West for pressuring African leaders, not Mandela.
Speaking at a dinner in London, the elderly Mandela condemned the "tragic failure of leadership" in Zimbabwe.
The revered leader known across the world for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa, rarely speaks on political issues these days.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's opposition party said its second top-most leader has been granted bail.
Tendai Biti has been jailed since he flew back to Zimbabwe from South Africa June 12.
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa released a brief statement saying a judge had granted Biti bail on Thursday.
Mandela has been joined by various global and Zimbabwean figures in condemning the conflict in the country.
Southern African Development Community (SADC), the top regional body also piled on the pressure on Mugabe to call off the election.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai issued a 24-hour deadline to President Robert Mugabe on Thursday to negotiate or face being shunned as an illegitimate leader responsible for the killing of civilians.
“Negotiations will be over if Mr Mugabe declares himself the winner and considers himself the president. How can we negotiate?" Tsvangirai said in an interview with Britain's Times newspaper.
Tsvangirai insists Mugabe must be removed so Zimbabwe can end its political turmoil and economic meltdown.
If Mugabe approached him afterwards, Tsvangirai said he had this message: "I made these offers, I made these overtures, I told you I would negotiate before the elections and not after -- because it's not about elections, it's about transition.
"How can you call yourself an elected president? You are illegitimate and I will not speak to an illegitimate president."
US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama also described the situation as “tragic”, adding that South Africa needed to pressure the country to hold off the election.
Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission said on Wednesday that Friday's poll would go ahead.
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