MDC 9th anniversary celebrations set to test spirit of talks

After weeks of on and off talks between ZANU PF and the MDC not much has changed in terms of the climate of repression. On Thursday the annual general meeting of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition was disrupted by riot police amid signs the ‘ZANU PF leopard has not changed its spots.’ On Monday another subtle reminder of the intolerance came when youths in a ZANU PF truck vandalised a banner written ‘Morgan is more’ at the party’s Harvest House headquarters. The youths ran away before the MDC security officials could apprehend them.
 
The MDC was formed on the 11th of September 1999 and over the weekend plans to celebrate their achievements from these past 9 years. A statement from the party says they have invited representatives from the trade unions, churches, student movements and other civil society partners. Party President Morgan Tsvangirai will make the keynote speech at the venue in what is set to be his first big rally since pulling out of the June 27 presidential run-off. His last rally at the Glamis Arena outside Harare was disrupted by hordes of over 2000 ZANU PF youths who brutally assaulted those who attended. Nkulumane MDC MP Tamsanqa Mahlangu was one of those hospitalised after the attacks.
 
Sunday’s gathering will take place under the theme, ‘Together to the end – Celebrating the People’s Victory.’ In addition to the Mkoba rally the MDC is planning to hold several provincial celebrations. A senior official told Newsreel that despite the troubles in the country the party had done well against the odds in securing a majority in parliament and having their National Chairman Lovemore Moyo elected Speaker of Parliament. In the March
29 election Tsvangirai outpolled Mugabe into second place but the regime controlled Zimbabwe Election Commission said he did not secure the required 50 percent plus 1 vote under the country’s new electoral laws and ordered a run-off.