MDC-T says Zimbabwe is burning- Mugabe must step down to save the country

The Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai says the demonstrations and protests sprouting everywhere, engulfing cities and towns are symptomatic of grave national grievances that remain unresolved and demand nothing less than the resignation of President Robert Mugabe and his government.

The country has been rocked by violent demonstrations which started at the Beitbridge border post on Friday following restrictions on the importation of basic goods culminating today in running battles between police and commuter bus operators who are protesting against heavy police presence on the roads

MDC-T today said it strongly believed that it was the right of every Zimbabwean to demonstrate and petition as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe is burning. Every sector of the economy is bleeding and only today, commuters and commuter operators in various parts of Harare exercised their constitutional right by demonstrating against the many roadblocks that in essence are State-sanctioned outposts of corruption. Zimbabweans themselves are putting this regime on notice and something huge will give if national grievances are not addressed,” the party said.

“Civil servants have no pay, Zimbabweans are starving, and corruption is rampant in all sectors of the economy. It is ironic that the drivers of the scourge of corruption include the Office of the President and Cabinet and the First Family who recently unprocedurally awarded a multi-million dollar tender for a diesel power plant in Dema to a brother to the President’s son-in-law.”

It added: “Three years ago, ZANU- PF campaigned on a cheap message, Bhora Mugedhi. What Zimbabweans are simply doing now through their various actions is to retrieve that ball from the nets of poverty and demanding that the nation begins this game afresh by steering the country back to legitimacy through a free and fair election and put in a office a legitimate government that will address their grievances. The demonstrations currently happening are part of the national desire for Operation Bhora Pacentre . Indeed, Zimbabweans want a fresh start, a fresh beginning under a legitimate government.”

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Full statement:

Monday, 04 July 2016

MDC supports all peaceful, legitimate demonstrations

The crisis in the country is worsening every day and the deteriorating situation demands nothing less than the resignation of President Robert Mugabe and his government.

The situation in the cities, towns and in the villages points to a failed government. These pop-corn demonstrations and protests sprouting everywhere and that are engulfing our cities and towns are symptomatic of grave national grievances that remain unresolved.

As the MDC, our position on this issue remains very clear and unequivocal. We strongly believe that it is the right of every Zimbabwean to demonstrate and petition and enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

That is why as a party, we began public demonstrations in Harare on 14 April and proceeded to hold similar protest marches in Bulawayo and Mutare. We have got a roll-out programme for all the provinces while in the meantime we will support every march, every petition and every demonstration aimed at exposing this government for failing to resolve the burgeoning national crisis.

Civil servants have no pay, Zimbabweans are starving, and corruption is rampant in all sectors of the economy. It is ironic that the drivers of the scourge of corruption include the Office of the President and Cabinet and the First Family who recently unprocedurally awarded a multi-million dollar tender for a diesel power plant in Dema to a brother to the President’s son-in-law.

Zimbabwe is burning. Every sector of the economy is bleeding and only today, commuters and commuter operators in various parts of Harare exercised their constitutional right by demonstrating against the many roadblocks that in essence are State-sanctioned outposts of corruption. Zimbabweans themselves are putting this regime on notice and something huge will give if national grievances are not addressed.

Three years ago, Zanu PF campaigned on a cheap message, Bhora Mugedhi. What Zimbabweans are simply doing now through their various actions is to retrieve that ball from the nets of poverty and demanding that the nation begins this game afresh by steering the country back to legitimacy through a free and fair election and put in a office a legitimate government that will address their grievances. The demonstrations currently happening are part of the national desire for Operation Bhora Pacentre . Indeed, Zimbabweans want a fresh start, a fresh beginning under a legitimate government.

Continued next page

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