by Innocent Mujeri
The opposition, the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) has joined other opposition parties such as MDC-T, ZAPU, Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) and Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD), in denouncing the planned #31July2020 demonstrations.
A leaked WhatsApp group chat between members of ZimPF shows that they party has distanced itself from the demonstrations opting for dialogue between concerned parties.
One Tapiwa Nyika Mutemajiri said that it was better for that party to participate in the dialogue being organised by the churches than participating in the illegal demonstrations.
“My opinion is that, let’s not take part in the demonstrations but let’s participate in the dialogue being organised by the churches. It is imperative also that we consider the current health situation in the country. As ZimPF, we should not be seen putting people’s lives in danger so that we get into power. We can still get into power through proper and constitutional means.
“COVID-19 is spreading very fast and it’s a dangerous virus. We can’t risk people to demonstrate amid such a deadly pandemic,” said Mutemajiri.
Mutemajiri’s sentiments were echoed by one Ndaneta Chitekwe who said that ZimPF believes in constitutionalism and it will not participate in anything illegal.
“As much as we agree that ZANU PF has to go, as a party, we value constitutionalism. We value tolerance. We value peace above everything else, hence we should not participate in these protests. As ZimPF what would we gain from participating? We want to remove ZANU PF through the ballot not these illegal protests,” said Chitekwe.
More opposition parties continue to pour cold water on the planned #31July2020 illegal demonstration stating that they don’t want to be entangled in politics of vengeance being perpetrated by Nelson Chamisa, Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Tsenengamu.
Recently, the MDC-T, ZAPU, MRP and LEAD, all in separate occasions, slammed the planned #31July2020 demonstrations, as perpetuating the satisfaction of personal egos of some failed politicians.
