Who is really behind MLF?

JOHANNESBURG – Questions have been raised over the sincerity of Matabeleland-based Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), which claims to be fighting for the “freedom” of Matabeleland and the Midlands.

Rowdy MLF members disrupted civil society protests at the SADC Summit on Saturday.
Rowdy MLF members disrupted civil society protests at the SADC Summit on Saturday.

This is after the tribal grouping fought against marchers, predominantly MDC-T, who were protesting against President Robert Mugabe’s obstinacy over the implementation of outstanding issues of the GPA.

Denounced by the re-launched opposition Zapu party and criticized by most people in Matabeleland as mere opportunists, the group has worked fast to antagonize itself from pro-democracy movements by focusing more of its efforts on fighting tribal war rather than pushing its so-called secessionist agenda.

On two occasions in less than three months, the MLF has attracted interest for all the wrong reasons with its tribal agenda that smacks of hate for Shona-speaking people. It has also spewed hate-speech against MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan – and left many wondering if it is just another group formed to further destabilize Zimbabwe ahead of the next elections.

In Sandton on Saturday rowdy MLF youths again refused to be addressed by Shona-speakers. Despite attempts by Zapu SA chairman, Dingilizwe Mpondo, the party’s spokesman, Busani Bhalagwe, MDC-N secretary for SA, Ngqabutho Dube and the South African police to for order, the MLF started attacking marchers with knobkerries.

“It looks like these people are a creation that is only there to tarnish name of the Zimbabwean civil society and the opposition so that Zanu (PF) gets the mileage and can say that democratic forces are fighting among themselves,” said one of the marchers.

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