Phillipa Jaja
MDC-T leader, Douglas Mwonzora has announced plans for a massive demonstration on August 17 to push for electoral reforms in Zimbabwe.
This development comes after his recent withdrawal from the harmonised elections citing election management irregularities. Mwonzora accuses the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for refusing to accept nomination papers for 87 of the party’s candidates for the National Assembly, meaning that even if he won the presidency he would not have control of parliament.
Review&Mail contacted the National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said that he was not aware of such a statement.
“No, I am not aware of that statement,” Nyathi said.
In a message to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s regulating officer, MDC-T said it will pursue a peaceful demonstration as a recourse to the unfair treatment which has ensued in the aftermath of ZEC’s actions.
“We hereby notify you that on the 17th of August, 2023, the Movement for Democratic Change intends to hold a peaceful demonstration.
“The purpose of the demonstration is the demand for electoral reforms in Zimbabwe. The theme will be, ‘No to Disenfranchisement.’
“We are expecting about 3 000 people to attend. Our route will be starting to at Robert Mugabe square, down rotten row road up to 4th street, then Robert Mugabe road westwards and back.
We will have about 5 ushers to help maintain order,” the party’s national organising secretary, Benevolence Taisekwa wrote.