Preparations for the scheduled August 16 Demonstration seems to be at an advanced stage as both major political parties involved, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and ZANU PF well prepared for the day although albeit different intentions.
Opposition MDC spokesperson Daniel Molekele addressing the press yesterday said all is set for the tomorrow’s nationwide demonstration aimed at addressing all challenges the country is currently facing.
On the other hand, the ruling ZANU PF youth league in Mashonaland East province on Wednesday held an emergency meeting in Marondera to devise ways to thwart the much publicized nationwide protests.
The ZANU PF league’s provincial members met to map the way forward on how to counter the demonstrations by protesters who are irked by the current economic crisis, which has resulted in the majority of citizens facing survival challenges.
Provincial youth chairperson Kelvin Mutsvairo confirmed the meeting, saying the youth league was prepared for a head-on with violent protesters in the province.
“As the youth league, we are prepared for a head-on with protesters in this province. We don’t tolerate violence similar to what occurred in January, hence the move to defend peace-loving and progressive people of Zimbabwe. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been on record calling political players to come to the table and present their ideas that will benefit the nation, he has an open door policy,” he said.
More so, other ZANU PF youths in Mbare have denounced the demonstration saying they will do what ever it takes to protect their legacy and their leader President Emerson Mnangagwa.
The youths labelled the move as a ‘thief’ who wants to steal your belongings and thus should be beaten, chanting slogans to denounced the August 16 Scheduled Demonstration.
More so, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches have denounced ‘violent’ protests planned by the opposition MDC-Alliance tomorrow urging the political parties to have a nationwide dialogue to solve the challenges the country is facing now.
In a letter addressed to the faithful and copied to President Mnangagwa on August 9, 2019 the church body reiterated the call for an inclusive national dialogue to help the people address pressing national challenges.
‘‘Churches are worried by threats of violence following the call for mass demonstration on the 16th of August 2019 by the Movement for Democratic Change,” the pastoral letter reads.
However, the MDC is adamant the demonstration will happen peacefully despite fake news circulating on social media that the march has been called off.
