The 5,000-strong crowd at all the four rallies dwarfed the approximately 500 ruling party supporters who turned out to listen to a Zanu (PF) candidate at a Harare rally on Saturday.
The MDC leadership on Saturday addressed thousands at Stodart Grounds in Mbare and later held another rally at Chemhanza stadium in Dzivarasekwa. On Sunday, the “New Zimbabwe Campaign Team” addressed more rallies at Mapostori open area in Glen View and capped the weekend with another well-attended rally at Huruyadzo shopping centre at St Mary’s in Chitungwiza.
The excitement in the air at all the MDC rallies was palpable as the masses swayed and chanted, sensing victory.
But the atmosphere was punctured by attacks by a vigilante Mbare-based Zanu (PF) militia, Chipangano, who harassed people going to the rally, including die-hard opposition activist Godfrey Kauzani.
MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti told supporters that the MDC was now certain to win the forthcoming general election, ending 28-years of domination by Zanu (PF).
But before contesting the March general election, said Biti, the party was determined to have a new constitution that established a truly independent electoral commission and a Bill of Rights that guaranteed citizens freedoms of assembly, association and expression.
Biti said the MDC was planning a “Freedom March for a New Zimbabwe” before the end of January highlighting the need for a new constitution before the poll. He did not give dates for the planned march.
“Very soon we will be marching for democracy,” said Biti. “We will be marching for a new Constitution, for clean water and a better economy.”
iti said the party was working hard for the reunification of all the opposition parties to forge a united front against Mugabe and Zanu (PF).
“We are engaging our colleagues led by Mutambara,” Biti said. “We are doing that because we have to win at all cost. We are also talking to other opposition parties because all votes count.”
Chamisa later told The Zimbabwean his party has planned 300 rallies in the rural areas before the end of January, adding special attention was being paid to the rural areas to spread the message of change in a new Zimbabwe.
Post published in: News