The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) turns 9 years on September 11. This week it was battling to secure a huge venue to host the celebrations, but as usual the Zimbabwe Republic Police were refusing to issue a clearance for such an occasion giving flimsy excuses. MDC intends to hold its 9th anniversary celebrations at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru this coming Sunday.
After weeks of on and off talks between ZANU PF and the MDC not much has changed in terms of the climate of repression. Police have continued disrupting meeting of civic groupings including the annual general meeting of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition which was blocked by riot police.
Speaking to reporters in Zambia on Tuesday Mugabe said if Tsvangirai, does not sign the power-sharing agreement today, he will proceed to appoint Cabinet as the country cannot be frozen forever. ‘‘If after tomorrow (today) Tsvangirai does not want to sign, we will certainly put together a Cabinet. We feel frozen at the moment” he said in Lusaka.
To this end, the facilitator of the inter-party talks, South African Mr Thabo Mbeki, jets into Harare this morning to try to get Tsvangirai to append his signature to the agreement for the last time, if this fails the Cabinet will still be formed.
On Monday another subtle reminder of ZANU PF’s intolerance was witnesses when youths in a party truck vandalised a banner with the inscription ‘Morgan is more’ at the party’s Harvest House headquarters. The youths got away before MDC security officials could apprehend them.
The MDCwhich was formed on the 11th of September 1999 plans to celebrate their achievements from these past 9 years over the weekend.
Representatives from trade unions, churches, student movements and other civil society Partners have been invited.
Party leader Morgan Tsvangirai will make the keynote speech at the venue in what is set to be his first big rally since pulling out of the June 27 presidential run-off. His last rally at the Glamis Arena outside Harare was disrupted by hordes of over 2000 ZANU PF youths who brutally assaulted those who attended.
Sunday’s gathering will take place under the theme, ‘Together to the end – Celebrating the People’s Victory.’ In addition to the Mkoba rally the MDC is planning to hold several provincial celebrations.
