by Staff Writer
The MDC-Alliance has renewed calls to stage mass demonstrations across the country buoyed by the recent win by the opposition party in Malawi and the sanctions-induced economic hardships, the general populace is currently grappling with, the Harare Post can report.
A source who attended a meeting recently held by MDC-Alliance senior members are upbeat that mass demonstrations will succeed given the current circumstances.
“The party’s National Standing Committee (NSC) held a secret meeting where the issue of mass action was plotted taking advantage of the current economic challenges people are facing and the win by the opposition party in Malawi,” said the source.
The source said during the meeting Happymore Chidziva, MDC-Alliance Deputy Organising Secrety, stood and emotionally advised Nelson Chamisa, MDC- Alliance President that the ground is fertile for demos and the time is now, proposing that the latter should hold a press conference on 4 July, 2020 to announce dates for the demonstrations.
Murisi Zwizwai, MDC Deputy Secretary for Presidential Affairs concurred that all systems point to successful demonstrations if called. Zwizwai is alleged to have informed the meeting that his department has since scored a success in mobilising Constituency Coordination Committees for the demos.
During the same meeting Charlton Hwende, MDC-Alliance Deputy Treasurer weighed in and pushed for the setting up of dates for the demonstrations, the source added. Lynett Karenyi-Kore, MDC-Alliance Deputy President suggested that the demonstrations should start now in the constituencies where MPs were recalled demanding the re-instatement of the same.
The source said, Job Sikhala, MDC-Alliance Vice Chairperson seconded the demos as they will make the party visible in the wake of his imaginative coup which the national JOC recently reprimanded him for. Sikhala is alleged to have said “If the imminent coup happens without our participation, a ZANU PF faction will once again retain control of the country without us.”
However, Welshman Ncube, MDC-Alliance Vice President said that the party is not ready for demonstration as it must first court the support of the army and guarantee the safety and security of the demonstrators first, if the demos are to succeed. The source added that Ncube said the party has no funds to cover legal and medical costs for those who would have been injured or arrested.
Chamisa is said to have concluded the discussion by indicating that the National Standing Committee will meet on 8 July,2020 to finalise the demo issue.
