Over 1500 Demonstrated at Zimbabwe Embassy

The demonstration which was organised by a coalition of about twenty civic organsations, trade unions, pressure groups, youth movements, church, and human rights groups which includes Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), South African Communist Party (SACP) and Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) under the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum (ZSF) fighting for democracy in Zimbabwe was demanding free and fair elections in Zimbabwe later this month.
 
The demonstrators accused President Robert Mugabe of rigging and using violence during the 2002 presidential elections seeking to hold on to power. 
 
Speaking during the demonstration Zimbabwe Youth Network (ZYN) Coordinator Munjodzi Mutandiri said
“We know all his (Mugabe) tactics he used during the 2002 presidential election and we understand that he will try to use the to hold on to power. This tactics includes rigging, violence on opposition parties and installing fear and intimidation upon the citizens using police and solders” said Mutandiri
“Today we are protesting saying no to all the rigging and violence. We call on the internal community and regional leaders to demand free and fair elections in Zimbabwe and for the Zimbabwean government to apply democratic principals during election”, he added
 
As millions of Zimbabweans are hoping for an end to a decade long economic crisis this month, COSATU spokesperson Patrick Craven, raise concerns on Zimbabwe elections saying elections “will not be free and fair”.
 
‘This demonstration is in support for democracy in Zimbabwe because our main concern is that the forthcoming election will not be free and fair and there is strong possibility that election will be rigged”, Craven said
 
He added; ‘Elections are against the backdrop of massive human rights abuse, abuse of press freedom and attack on opposition party candidates and trade unionist all which translate to intimidation”.
 
President Mugabe 84 faces a challenge from former ruling party loyalist Simba Makoni, who says the troubled African country needs younger leaders to tackle the worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1980.
 
Zimbabwe ambassador to South Africa Simon Kaya Moyo refused to meet the demonstrators.