Tsvangirai says “I never thought I would share the same platform with Jabulani Sibanda”

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said activist Itai Dzamara, who was abducted in March and has not been heard of since, had brought Zimbabweans together regardless of their political diversity.

"What I see here is national convergence in our diversity, we are all saying Mugabe and his government are responsible. By the same spirit it means we can work together to rescue our nation from this messy," Tsvangirai said at the prayer meeting for the former journalist.

"I never thought that I will share the same platform with Jabulani Sibanda, but here we are, together, speaking the same language of change. "

Jabulani Sibanda was leader of the War Veterans Association for more than a decade and was a key player in the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front intimidation of voters during elections and by-elections but he was expelled from the party last year for siding with Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

He attended yesterday’s prayer meeting but Mujuru did not pitch up despite numerous reports that she would attend the prayer meeting and would meet Tsvangirai.

The MDC has accused the government of complicity in the abduction of Dzamara.

Full statement:

Saturday, 11 July 2015

 Zimbabweans converge to pray for Itai Dzamara    

President Tsvangirai the MDC leader and other political parties, the church and thousands of Zimbabweans converged to pray for Itai Dzamara at Zimbabwe grounds who was abducted on 9 March 2015 by state security agents.

Speaking at the prayer meeting, President Tsvangirai said Dzamara has brought Zimbabweans together regardless of their political diversity. "What I see here is national convergence in our diversity, we are all saying Mugabe and his government are responsible. By the same spirit it means we can work together to rescue our nation from this messy."

"I never thought that I will share the same platform with Jabulani Sibanda, but here we are, together, speaking the same language of change. "

Leaders of other political parties who spoke at the prayer meeting said the government was culpable before publicly signing a declaration demanding the safe return of Dzamara.

Among the leaders who joined President Tsvangirai in speaking against the abduction  were former war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda,  Zapu  Vice President, Ms Emilia Mukaratirwa, former Hurungwe West MP, Temba Mliswa,  Transform Zimbabwe President, Jacob Ngarivhume and civic society leaders.

Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) President, Dr Simba Makoni read the joint statement signed by leaders of six political parties which included Dr Makoni himself, President Tsvangirai MDC-T, Dydimus Mutasa of People First, Jacob Ngarivhume of Transform Zimbabwe, Dumiso Dabengwa of Zapu and Tendai Biti the Secretary General  of MDC Renewal.

In the statement, the leaders said the State was liable for the disappearance of Dzamara and urged the government to comply with the High Court order to periodically update the nation on its efforts.

President Tsvangirai's wife later handed over groceries and cash donated by Zimbabweans to the Dzamara family.

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