THE opposition MDC has described as disappointing
utterances by war veteran leaders threatening violence, claiming such
recklessness ultimatums will only cause alarm and despondency.
Zanu PF politburo members —Defence minister Oppah
Muchinguri and her deputy Victor Matemadanda, whose ministry is responsible for
war veterans affairs — have threatened that the army would be deployed to crush
any uprising.
The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC said the war veterans must stop
causing despondency and behave maturely.
This came as the opposition, labour body, the Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), and other civic organisations were planning to
mount pressure on the government over the rising cost of living.
“As war heroes and senior citizens of this country, war
veterans must always seek to promote peace and stability and they must conduct
themselves in a very
peaceful and engaging manner,” party spokesperson Daniel
Molokele said.
“They must avoid engaging themselves in such a way that
causes alarm and despondency in this country. This applies to everyone whether
they are in government
or not, whether they are in a position of public authority
or not.
“We, as Zimbabweans, are a peace-loving country and we
expect our senior citizens and war veterans to take a lead and ensure that
there is peace and stability
in this country.”
Molokele said one of the ethos of the liberation struggle
was to promote freedom of expression and, as such, they were not intimidated in
any way and would
exercise their constitutional rights without any fear.
He said the Zanu PF regime has thrived on violence and the
war veterans statements should be viewed as representing the bigger behaviour
of the ruling party.
The MDC and the ZCTU, however, said they would not be cowed
by threats from war veterans and Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema that the
army would not fold
its arms while the country slides into anarchy.
“Obviously, as a party, we are very disappointed by the
officials who issue those threats. We reserve our right to follow the
Constitution and that is a right that every Zimbabwean is entitled to,” Molokele said.
“As the MDC, we are not affected at all and we are going
forward with our plans to freely express our concerns about the direction our
country is going and the
need to change the political discourse of this country.”
The MDC spokesperson added: “We really urge everyone who is
in a position of authority to refrain from such statements because they are a
threat to stability and peace in this country.”
ZCTU president Peter Mutasa said it was “quite sad and an
unfortunate confirmation” that the country has taken a wrong turn.
“There is no government that must celebrate the killing of
its citizens. It is appalling,” Mutasa said.
“Workers grievances are legitimate and the government must
focus on resolving them not on sharpening its arms against defenceless citizens.
“Workers and the majority of the citizens are suffering.
Many are starving, failing to pay rentals and facing evictions. Many cannot
access medical care and are dying in their homes.”
He also said workers should be allowed to peacefully air
out their grievances, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“Instead of opening the armoury, the government must open
channels of genuine dialogue. Instead of killing citizens, it must kill poverty
and hunger that is stalking the majority of citizens,” Mutasa said.
“We will go back to the workers and consult on this new
brazen threat. We are, however, sure that workers will proceed with p
eaceful forms of protests. For history teaches us that no
form of repression managed to stop people from raising their legitimate
grievances and from attaining their freedom.” Newsday
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