Harare Police Turn Down MDC -T Request To Hold ‘Mother Of All Demonstrations’

POLICE in Harare have turned down a request by the opposition MDC-T to hold a protest march against the government’s alleged misrule tomorrow, citing shortage of security details.

 

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In a letter sent to MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, officer commanding Harare Central police, Newbert Saunyama claimed the planned mass protests would disrupt “the flow of traffic and people as well as peace being enjoyed currently”.

“We would like to advise you that we are unable to provide enough manpower, as most of our officers are engaged in the preparation of the independence celebrations. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted,” Saunyama wrote.

MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka told NewsDay yesterday that his party was now considering taking legal action against police.

“Our secretary-general is seized with the matter to challenge this illegal response by the police,” he said.

Initially, the march was set for last week, but had to be postponed to pave way for President Robert Mugabe’s meeting with war veterans.

This came as Tsvangirai yesterday addressed students at the University of Zimbabwe and urged them to take to the streets to force the Zanu PF government to honour its election promises and guarantee students’ freedoms.

“We must all join hands in demanding, not only the implementation of the Constitution, but also the institution of far-reaching reforms to ensure that the next election does not breed yet another contested outcome. As students, you represent the future of the country. You are the leaders of tomorrow. But the leaders of tomorrow cannot just stand idle while tomorrow is under siege from the men and women of yesterday,” he said.

Tsvangirai reminded the students that his party was born out of labour and students’ movements.

“Rights will never be voluntarily given to you, especially by this government. Rights will have to be demanded. As students, you must not look at your problems in isolation. They are part and parcel of the national rot under this clueless party in government. The current leadership of government has chosen to ignore the multi-layered crisis facing the people. It is choosing, instead, to focus on the issue of the succession issue of our 92-year-old President (Robert Mugabe), whose age is a crisis unto itself.”  By  Xolisani Ncube.  source-newsday.

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