The protesters however went ahead and were joined by students from the
Zimbabwe National Students Union. Police beat up and arrested several
activists, some of whom are still in custody.
In a show of defiance Madhuku released a statement saying, this
Tuesday, as with next Tuesday and the next we, the NCA, will keep
organizing and mobilizing until our country is governed in accordance
with the will of the people. We call on all Zimbabweans, wherever you
might be, to support the protests by doing all you can, peacefully, to
register the need to be governed by a government of your choice, under
a democratic constitution.'
The NCA is demanding a transitional authority to oversee the
implementation of a new people driven constitution, under which fresh
elections would elect a new leadership.
Spokesman Madock Chivasa told Newsreel the behaviour and intransigence
displayed by ZANU PF was a reflection of the lack of pressure coming
from ordinary people on the ground. The group want this passive
approach to the country's problems to end. The tragedies that we are
facing as a people have reached disaster proportions, threatening to
submerge the entire nation. We all share in common shame, the
unfortunate story of our country's regress from being a jewel, born
filled with promise, to what it has become
now: a sad spectacle,' an NCA statement read.
The NCA say the current power sharing deal attempts to sanitize' ZANU
PF while diminishing the role of the MDC, the party that won the
elections in March. Madhuku argues that Mugabe will still retain
executive authority.
Tsvangirai will only chair the Council of Ministers, a structure that
does not have executive authority. Major appointments are still the
preserve of Mugabe, who only needs to consult' with the Prime
Minister. Nothing compels Mugabe to take the advice of the Prime
Minister after consultations. The list of what is bad about the deal is
as long as the deal itself,' he said.
In a rallying call Madhuku said, As a nation, we have to come to terms
with the fact that no amount of international support to our struggle
will come to bear without local pressure. As citizens we must take back
what we have resignedly outsourced: the right to save our country from
the jaws of the brutal regime that has dominated us for far too long.
This is something we should do with pride, knowing that we are doing
that which is just, that which history and generations will remember as
a leap that made us citizens, and not prisoners in our land.'
SWRadio Africa
Post published in: News