Mutambara MDC cancel rally in solidarity with Tsvangirai MDC

By Lance Guma
26 March 2007

The Mutambara MDC say they cancelled their Chitungwiza rally over the weekend following attempts by government to drive a wedge between the two factions of the MDC. Government banned a rally in Mutare on Saturday, which had been organised by the Tsvangirai MDC but gave the go ahead for the Chitungwiza rally by the Mutambara MDC on Sunday. Priscilla Misihairambwi the deputy secretary general in the Mutambara MDC issued a statement saying their party ‘rejects with total contempt attempts by the rogue regime of Robert Mugabe to divide the democratic forces in the opposition.’

She said it was clear to them they were receiving a ‘tainted olive branch’ which was being offered by a ‘dysfunctional Mugabe regime.’ Misihairambwi further stated that Mugabe’s government had no moral authority to decide who should hold a rally and who should not. She said the ‘selective application of the law will never have any takers in the democratic movement,’ and that any injury inflicted on one democratic force was a clear assault on all forces.

The rally in Mutare by the Tsvangirai MDC was cancelled after 500 armed police officers sealed off the stadium at around 8 o clock in the morning. MDC officials were told if the rally went ahead police would use live ammunition to disperse the crowds. A heavy police presence was maintained in Sakubva as armed police convoys patrolled the suburb. In Kwekwe the Tsvangirai MDC rally went ahead peacefully as planned at the Globe and Phoenix Grounds. This was despite a heavy police presence. The party had wanted to have the rally at their headquarters in town but were refused permission.

It’s also reported that state security agents visited the home of the Mufakose MDC chairman Friday evening. His 72 year old father Friton Jairos and an 18 year old man Ivor Harawa were at the house when the state agents allegedly blindfolded them and took them away to an unknown destination. They were severely beaten all over their bodies with iron bars.