THE MDC leadership has given President Emmerson Mnangagwa a
14-day ultimatum to engage opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in talks to end the
economic meltdown or face protests and civil disobedience from its supporters.
Addressing a massive rally in Chitungwiza yesterday, deputy
chairperson Job Sikhala said after the seven-day period of fasting, the party
was ready to be decisive.
“Let’s make sure we radicalise the base, when the base is
radicalised, political pressure mounts. What does political pressure lead to?
It leads to dialogue, not dialogue to sell out the people of Zimbabwe … we need
total freedom. We want to go and negotiate the transfer of power. I am giving
Emmerson Mnangagwa two weeks from now for him to call president Nelson Chamisa
and say come I want to talk to you. I am giving Emmerson Mnangagwa two weeks,
to say I want to negotiate. The people are speaking here, you can see over 30
000 at this rally who are ready to confront anarchy. Emmerson Mnangagwa, start
counting from today, if you don’t respond we shall respond in equal measure,”
Sikhala said.
Statements by Sikhala, who is facing charges of subverting
a constitutionally-elected government, come as the MDC meets this Tuesday for a
crucial meeting to define its course of action in confronting Mnangagwa and his
government.
The MDC is now riding on the downside of supplementary
budget presented by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube on Thursday last week which
pushed prices of fuel, electricity and transport up against stagnant salaries.
Sikhala said the budget had brought anarchy and a state of
panic in the country, saying it was like pouring fuel on a veld fire.
“There is not a single person who has brought anarchy in
our country more than Mnangagwa and his Finance minister Mthuli Ncube. Last
week, they brought a supplementary budget to Parliament in which he effected a
500% increase on toll fees, where he raised the power tariffs by 370%, where he
increased prices of all government services which will in turn affect prices
across the board. This is anarchy! Constitutionalism demands that we stop
anarchy. We must stop Mnangagwa’s anarchy of bringing poverty to the people of
Zimbabwe and this must be confronted and we will confront it. The greatest
anarchist in our country is Mnangagwa, he has brought anarchy everywhere
including in people’s homes. There is an increase in domestic violence because
of poverty,” Sikhala said.
Rallying the army, police and Zanu PF supporters to join
hands to oust Mnangagwa, Sikhala said the struggle was not personal, but should
be joined by all well-meaning Zimbabweans who wanted prosperity.
“Hunger does not chose on political party basis, it does
not care whether you are Zanu PF or MDC. Let’s join hands and deal with
Emmerson Mnangagwa who is the elephant in the room and we must deal with that
elephant. Listen to me Zanu PF supporters, now is the time for the people of
Zimbabwe to come together and confront the elephant in the room, it has to be
confronted by every citizen of our country for us to deal with our problems.
Hunger is colour blind,” he said.
Sikhala added: “We have to give a way forward that does not
only liberate the people at this rally, but also those men and women in the
army and police, because they too are hungry. The money they earn is too
little, they can’t even send their children to school.” Newsday
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