The party’s Provincial Chairperson, Pinnel Denga, confirmed that the party had battled to get administrative offices at provincial and district level.
“We had opened offices in some rented properties – but the landlords were threatened by Zanu (PF) and state security agents into terminating our signed lease agreements. To avoid this kind of disruption, we resolved to buy permanent structures,” said Denga.
The MDC opened its first provincial offices in Marondera in 2002. They were closed the same year after Zanu (PF) thugs, supported by armed and tear-gas firing police officers, forcibly dispersed party activists from the premises. Following political intimidation and banning of MDC activities in the province by Zanu (PF) agents of terror, the then provincial executive subsequently relocated to Harvest House in Harare, where it has conducted party business ever since.
“District offices would help improve administration and communication of party activities to the grassroots. We need this visibility,” said Denga.
He added that, as a peace-loving party, the MDC-T was disturbed by political intolerance by Zanu (PF) in Uzumba district.
“Zanu (PF) continues to deny MDC supporters access to transport ferrying farm produce to the market. As a result, we were left with no choice but to provide alternative transport to the affected farmers. Zanu (PF) must mature as a party and accept multiparty democracy. It must come to terms with the reality that its life span has expired and there is no way it could regain people’s support through retributive measures,” he said.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News