MDC weekend rallies to go ahead despite police threats

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 March, 2007

The government has intensified its oppressive campaign against the opposition in recent weeks fearing major uprisings in the face of a rapidly deteriorating economy and public protests by Zimbabweans. Observers say the ruling party is using violence to intimidate people in order to avoid any serious public action by the MDC. But so far the plan seems to have backfired. Zimbabweans say they are more determined than ever to remove Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF. And the opposition has said rallies planned for this weekend will go ahead with or without permission from the police.

In Kwekwe, MDC MP Blessing Chebundo said the district leadership has organised a rally for Saturday afternoon at the Globe and Phoenix Grounds in Kwekwe Central. He added that hundreds will show up to hear their local, provincial and national officials map out the way forward. Explaining why he believes this Chebundo said: “People have seen the way. If we don’t go forward with the struggle to really free ourselves in a country that was won through armed struggle, but where people are not free, and if we don’t free ourselves, then no-one will.”

Another rally, scheduled for Sunday in Chitungwiza, will be addressed by MDC president Arthur Mutambara and other MDC leaders. Police raided the home of MDC MP Job Sikhala on Thursday and arrested several MDC supporters suspected of distributing fliers for the rally. It is not clear how many are in custody at St Mary’s police station.

The police have used extremely violent means to block opposition rallies this year, and arrested officials and supporters have been beaten severely and tortured while in police custody. At a press conference in Harare on Friday, leaders from the Christian Alliance urged the police to protect innocent Zimbabweans as it is their duty to do so. They also denied government allegations that the rally that was violently blocked by police two Sundays ago was a political meeting.

A statement released to the press by he Alliance said in part:
“A major concern for us is the rapid shrinking of religious space where the state has taken upon itself to re-define who should be allowed to hold prayer meetings and who can attend it. We call upon the government to stop interfering with freedom of worship and association within the church in Zimbabwe.”