Budiriro residents call for removal of Mugabe and illegal Harare Commission

By Tererai Karimakwenda

31 July 2006

At a meeting organised by the Crisis Coalition last Thursday the residents of Budiriro resolved to demonstrate peacefully for the removal of the illegal commission running Harare and called for Robert Mugabe to go. They also urged civic and opposition leaders to lead from the front and resolved to boycott the exorbitant rates being charged by the commission. Israel Mabhoo, vice chairman of The Combined Harare Residents Association who was one of the panellists, told us these strong opinions were expressed despite the presence of Zimbabwe republic police. He said he was proud to see that most of the participants were women of all ages who showed interest in the affairs of the country.

The other panelists were Dr. John Makumbe, political commentator and UZ lecturer and Itai Zimunya from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. Mabhoo said over 200 residents participated in the public meeting. He said they expressed their opinions without fear, regarding everything from the liberation struggle to the Makwavarara led commission running the capital.

Regarding Mugabe, Mabhoo said the Budiriro residents made it clear they want him to go. They said the liberation struggle was not won by ZANU-PF alone but it involved all Zimbabweans who sacrificed. The subject then turned to the recent street protests organised by CHRA during which several CHRA officials were arrested. Mabhoo said Dr. Makumbe explained how officials including Mabhoo himself had been leading the protests from the front. In response the Budiriro residents urged civic leaders and opposition officials who are calling for mass protests to follow the CHRA example. They said they want to see top officials on the street leading the masses during any protests they call for.

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