POLICE JOIN WAR VETERANS IN HARARE MARCH (29-08-07)

The MDC is disturbed by the behaviour of the police after they showed their strong links with Zanu PF when they literally became part of the people who were claiming to be war veterans during a march in Harare this morning.

While the MDC and other civic groups go through the rigoro


us motion of notifying the police to hold demonstrations, the war veterans were literally escorted by excited policemen during their march in the streets of Harare.


If there is consensus on Mugabe’s candidature, why would he need demonstrations to endorse him? This development is indicative of the internal wars within Zanu PF about Mugabe’s candidature. It is a fact that Zanu PF is candidateless. The different factions are campaigning for their horses and the demonstration was just a poor show by one of the several factions.


Our sources in Zanu PF have revealed that the “war veterans” did not notify the police as many other groups and political parties are required to do under the restrictive clauses of the Public Order and Security Act. This month alone, the police have refused to sanction 113 MDC rallies nationwide while Zanu PF and its civic allies can do anything at anytime without telling anyone.


Instead of the police granting permission for people to hold demonstrations in solidarity with individuals, the police should allow Zimbabweans to hold marches in protest of their suffering. Those holding marches of solidarity with individuals should have no rights at the expense of those who want to hold marches in solidarity with the future; in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe whose living conditions are deteriorating everyday.


The MDC believes that while it is not an offence for Joseph Chinotimba and his acolytes who masquerade as war veterans to prop up Mugabe’s controversial candidature, it is most certainly reprehensible that the police should literally become part of the Zanu PF show which disrupted traffic and disturbed the peace of hard-pressed workers in the early-morning rush-hour for work.


The nation knows that genuine war veterans who fought for freedom feel short-changed to see Zimbabwe in such a mess today. Zimbabweans know that those who took up the gun to liberate this nation from colonial bondage know that Mugabe is at the centre of the national crisis and were definitely not part of the hired lot that marched in the streets of Harare.


Today’s joint war veterans and police show in the streets of Harare clearly reveals that the Zanu PF regime has privatized state institutions. There cannot be a free and fair election next year when the police are being treated as an appendage of the collapsing regime. with such a clearly biased police force.


The MDC believes that the people of Zimbabwe should put pressure on Mugabe to exorcise state institutions of the demon of bias and patronage. The people of Zimbabwe demand a free and fair poll next year to have a new beginning and a fresh start. The people’s legitimate voice should be respected and it starts with those charged with maintaining peace and order refraining from taking sides.


The people are determined to see the fruition of their vision for a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning. The people’s hour has come.


Nelson Chamisa, MP


Secretary for Information and Publicity


Post published in: News

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