The MDC president, his officials and his embattled supporters continue to face relentless persecution at all levels by Zanu (PF) thugs, the police and the army.
Sunday’s rally is the latest in a series billed by the MDC as 'Real Change People’s Peace Rally'. It follows hard on the heels of the recent rallies attended by thousands of people in Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Chegutu and Kwekwe.
Members of the National Standing Committee, National Executive Committee, National Council, ministers and MPs will attend the rally and thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to throng Sakubva Stadium to get a heads up on the latest developments.
"President Tsvangirai will also update the people on the performance of the party and the inclusive government," said MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora.
These rallies have become barometers to gauge the party's popularity amid concerns of sliding popularity ratings over graft and greed displayed by MDC MPs.
It is almost 12 years to the day that the MDC was founded on September 11, 1999 at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the workers’ movement, church organisations, the student movement and other civic partners.
The party has grown from strength to strength ever since. Following the March 29, 2008 harmonised elections, the MDC now holds 100 seats in Parliament against Zanu (PF)’s 99.
The break-away faction of the MDC holds 10 while independent legislator and former information minister Jonathan Moyo accounts for the last seat. There are 210 seats in Zimbabwe’s expanded legislative assembly.
The MDC also controls 45 local authorities while Zanu (PF) and the other MDC control the balance of 44. In the Senate Zanu (PF) holds 30 of the elected seats, while the two MDCs hold the other 30.
Despite the MDC having a slim but crucial parliamentary majority in the lower house, its ability to influence far-reaching changes in government is curtailed by its lack of executive power, which the 87-year-old Mugabe still firmly controls.
Post published in: News