THE opposition MDC yesterday said it was unfazed by threats
and discouragement over today’s street protest while the police warned “some
elements are planning to cause violence, disrupt the smooth flow and the
peaceful environment”.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Harare
yesterday, MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume, who was flanked by party leader
Nelson Chamisa, his three deputies and others senior officials, said the
demonstration was unstoppable as it was the desire of the suffering masses to
register their displeasure at the way the Zanu PF government was running the
country.
“The demonstration is a people’s demonstration. The people
have demanded this demonstration; they have asked us to be able to lead from
the front. Not only us, but various sectors of society and those sectors
include the churches, students, civil servants, police and army, vendors and
farmers will all converge here in Harare,” Mafume said.
He said they had notified the police as per provisions of
the Constitution, and they are expecting the full co-operation of law
enforcers, who will play their part in ensuring the smooth flow of their
demonstration.
Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity
Charamba said in a statement that the police had approved the protest, but said
they had gathered intelligence reports that some elements would cause violence.
“Intelligence at hand indicates that some elements are
planning to cause violence, disrupt the smooth flow and peaceful environment in
Harare central business district. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is on high alert
monitoring the situation to ensure all those who will cause violence are dealt
with according to the law,” she said.
“This information has already been communicated to the
conveners. Law enforcement agents will not hesitate to arrest anyone found
violating the law.”
Mafume said police were bound by the Constitution to
protect demonstrators and provide safe passage for anyone who wants to freely
express themselves and ensure that provocateurs are stopped in their tracks.
“The police are there to ensure that no one interferes with
the constitutional rights of Zimbabweans. We are convening a peaceful
demonstration. We have complied with the Constitution and we expect all State
organs to also comply with the law. We are proceeding in terms of the law and
not in any terms of pronouncements by any other person,” he said.
MDC national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya claimed the
party had foiled a plan by Zanu PF to bus in people from as far as Uzumba and
other places to cause disturbances in Harare and lay the blame on the
opposition party.
“We did receive reports that Zanu PF people are coming from
Uzumba and other places. We have since reported the matter to police and I am
sure police will handle them because as highlighted, our demonstration will be
peaceful and we will not tolerate any violence. If there is anybody who is
going to engage in violence, our marshals will do what we call citizens’
arrests,” Chibaya said.
He said they would march from Africa Unity Square, proceed
along Jason Moyo Avenue into Leopold Takawira Street; Samora Machel Avenue;
Julius Nyerere Way and Nelson Mandela Avenue and end at the Africa Unity Square
where Chamisa will address the gathering.
The party plans to hand over a petition to Parliament,
listing its concerns.
Mafume said they would not allow supporters and members to
wear party regalia. He said protesters should wear white as a symbol of peace
and love.
“This demonstration is coming from the people; they need
redress and solutions, and they need them now. The form and shape that the
solutions will take is up to those who construct the political issues, but what
we are clear about is this demonstration is there to express whatever
Zimbabweans are feeling,” he said.
“You have seen in the rallies, the people have asked us to
be on the streets with them, to express how they feel.”
However, Zanu PF deputy youth secretary Lewis Matutu
rubbished claims that the ruling party had sought to infiltrate the MDC
protests, saying they had better things to do as a party.
“That is ridiculous. Why would we do that?” he asked.
“They are saying they are not putting on regalia because
they don’t want their people to be identified. There is no peaceful
demonstration as they are saying. They believe in chaos. How will they make the
country ungovernable through a peaceful demonstration?
“They will repeat the same behaviour that they are known
for, but for them to then say we are mobilising people to come to Harare is
just ridiculous. We don’t have time to mobilise for what they are alleging, we
have better things to do to build our country,” he said. Newsday
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