MDC leaderTsvangirai now wants talks with Mugabe

Harare. Former Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai Friday said he was ready to discuss his pension with President Robert Mugabe amid indications he has abandoned the challenge against the veteran ruler’s re-election.Mr Tsvangirai despite withdrawing a court case challenging the July 31 elections had vowed to push for fresh elections using diplomatic channels.He refused to concede defeat, accusing President Mugabe of massive vote rigging in the presidential and parliamentary elections.But in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, Mr Tsvangirai said he wanted to discuss his pension with his rival and other issues that would move the country forward.He said he was not sure if he was entitled to a pension and a house that was built for him when he joined the inclusive government in 2009.“That subject (pension) has not been discussed,” Mr Tsvangirai said. “I will meet the president now that we have a cabinet and engage him on such issues and others, which may help move Zimbabwe forward.”On his multi-million dollar residence he said: “Well, as I have said, I will have to meet (President) Mugabe first and will see whether they will offer me the place (house) and if I can afford it then make arrangements to pay for it.”There were reports that some hardliners in President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party wanted the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader evicted from the house whose renovations cost over $3 million.Mr Tsvangirai said those who wanted him to be evicted were being vindictive.“It shows vindictiveness of some petty people who are not prepared to accept others with different ideas around them,” he said.“They hate me because I am a threat to their greed, corruption and ill-gotten wealth.”President Mugabe early this week said he left MDC members out of his new cabinet because the party refused to accept his re-election.