by Innocent Mujeri
The MDC faction led by Nelson Chamisa plots to engineer more fake abductions accompanied by bloody demonstrations in the event that the Friday court verdict goes against them, the Harare Post can report.
Leaked WhatsApp messages gleaned by this publication showed that senior MDC members are putting in place mechanisms to escalate demonstrations and fake abductions to seek sympathy from their supporters and the international community.
The WhatsApp conversation which featured Nelson Chamisa, the deposed Secretary General Charlton Hwende, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba and one Vimbai Makanganise revealed that the MDC Chamisa camp were convinced that they would lose the case at High Court this Friday, hence the scheme to cause disorder in the country as a diversionary stratagem.
This Friday, the High Court Judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi is expected to deliver judgement in an urgent chamber application filed by the MDC Alliance seeking to bar recently reinstated Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora from recalling that party’s legislators from Parliament.
The proposal for demonstrations and fake abductions was suggested by Hwende and echoed by Chamisa and Makanganise.
“President, we must be tactful and strategic. Let's fake more abductions and keep the streets busy, talk to Jonathan Moyo so that he liaises with Augustine Chihuri and give us senior police officers to work with. Let's make more and more noise,” said Hwende in the WhatsApp chat.
Another group member who used a UK WhatsApp contact number +479… also supported the idea of demonstrations and suggested that former G40 members Shadreck Mashayamombe and Jim Kunaka should be roped in to lead the demonstrations.
“We must organise the youth and make Cde (Shadreck) Mashayamombe and Jim Kunaka to organize the youths to do the job so that by Friday the court day, we organise a demonstration to keep them on their toes. There is going to be no peace for them, “said the group member.
Ironically, Mashayamombe and Kunaka were the commanders of the Mbare based Chipangano militant group which terrorised MDC supporters and ZANU PF supporters who did not subscribe to the G40 cabal. The group had to be disbanded upon the advent of the New Dispensation.
Makanganise suggested that Vanguard leader, Shakespear Mukoyi should also be roped in to lead the demonstrations as he has experience in organising same.
“Demonstrations are the way to go. The youths are ready. All they need is our command. I wish the days of Commander Shakes (Shakespear Mukoyi). These flash demonstrations must continue unabated and keep them busy,” said Makanganise.
Siziba further advocated for bloodshed and said the Chamisa faction should continue to make more noise through flash demonstrations.
“The youths are ready for this war but we need money to keep their moral up and fearless. We shall continue to make noise and they will know no peace. Viva bloodshed. Let's take the war to (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa's doorsteps,” threatened Siziba.
A contact from Chamisa’s faction revealed to this publication that Job Sikhala has been tasked to work with Prof Moyo in the recruitment of senior police officers to make sure that the demonstrators will not be arrested. He said the recruitment project was funded by the MDC Alliance Leicester Branch.
The contact further said that the US embassy in Zimbabwe and MDC UK Branch are funding the intended demonstrations.
In a clear sign that Chamisa anticipates another loss this Friday, he told the WhatsApp group members that they must convince their supporters home and abroad that the courts are captured by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF. Chamisa also urged the members to push the narrative that the 2018 elections were rigged in favour of President Mnangagwa.
The leaked chats also exposed the fear that has gripped the Chamisa faction over the more anticipated recalls of legislators from parliament which is expected to weaken the camp. Siziba expressed fear that more recalls would push some legislators to cross the floor to Douglas Mwonzora’s camp.
“We cannot allow a small boy like Mwonzora and team to dictate the pace, more recalls will weaken us and we know with our guys, they will end up joining those rebels and that will be the end of us,” said Siziba.
The Chamisa camp has also resolved to pay journalists to spread propaganda stories that prop up the Chamisa faction. Former G40 kingpin, Jonathan Moyo has been tasked to recruit journalists who will execute the propaganda function.
Another well placed contact revealed that journalists such as Blessed Mhlanga and Moses Matenga of Newsday, Samuel Takawira, Frank Chikowore and Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) Pedzisai Ruhanya among others, have already been recruited for the generation and dissemination of propaganda material.