South Africa ? Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Saturday that he will return to his homeland despite threats to his life to take part in a runoff against President Robert Mugabe.

Tsvangirai, addressing reporters in Pretoria, the capital of neighboring South Africa, said his supporters would feel “betrayed” if he did not face Zimbabwe’s ruler of 28 years.

“A runoff election could finally knock out the dictator for good,” Tsvangirai said. “I am ready and the people are ready for the final round.”

No runoff date has been set. Tsvangirai said Saturday it should be within 21 days of the May 2 announcement of presidential results, but Zimbabwean government officials have said the electoral commission has up to a year to hold the vote.

Tsvangirai said he will return shortly to Zimbabwe and intends to “begin a victory tour.” He maintains he won the first round outright and that official figures showing a second round was necessary were fraudulent.