Categories: Stories

MDC-T complains that Mugabe is frog matching people to his rallies

The Movement for Democratic Change has called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Southern African  Development Community and the African Union to stop the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front from forcing people to attend President Robert Mugabe’s youth rallies which kicked off in Marondera with yesterday’s ally being held in Mutare.

“This state of affairs doesn't bode well for the holding of free and fair elections in 2018,” party spokesman Obert Gutu said in a statement tonight.

Some 40 000 people are reported to have attended yesterday’s rally according to the State-controlled Herald.

“As we approach the 2018 elections, ZEC should exercise its constitutional authority to ensure that no political party, including the ruling ZANU-PF party, is allowed to force and commandeer people to attend its rallies and other meetings,” Gutu said.  

“How can a free and fair election be held in an atmosphere of extreme fear and intimidation?

“We also call upon SADC and the AU to take note of the continuing and unchecked behaviour of the ZANYU- PF regime that (un)ashamedly forces and commandeers innocent and defenceless Zimbabweans to attend its political rallies.”

Gutu, however, said his party remained confident that it will easily roam to victory in next year's elections and form the next government if the climate of fear presently obtaining in Zimbabwe is rectified as a matter of urgency.

Continued next page

(231 VIEWS)

This post was last modified on June 17, 2017 7:40 pm

Page: 1 2

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to decide

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwe constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to…

March 24, 2026

Who started the war?

It is now 47 years since I wrote the short story below for a South…

March 4, 2026

Zimbabwe 2026 monetary policy statement at a glance

Zimbabwe has released its 2026 monetary policy statement in which it seeks to stabilise its…

March 1, 2026

Was Chombo Mugabe’s number two?

Far from it, on paper that is. Ignatius Chombo was one of the longest serving…

February 6, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 citizen’s budget

Zimbabwe on Thursday announced a ZiG290.9 billion budget with revenue expected to be ZiG287.6 billion,…

November 30, 2025

IMF says Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in 2025 is stronger than previously anticipated

The International Monetary Fund says Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in 2025 is stronger than previously anticipated…

November 8, 2025