News / National
MDC-T says it is ready for an election, not violence and banditry
21 Jun 2011 at 08:58hrs | Views
Reports in the state media suggesting that the MDC-T is training youths for an armed rebellion in Zimbabwe are patently false and are ploy to arrest innocent party supporters in circumstances similar to what happened towards the end of 2008.
For the record, the MDC-T has made it clear that the real battle ground is, and has always been, for a clean transfer of power through the ballot box. The party has demonstrated and maintained this position in spite of attempts by Zanu PF to provoke it towards a violent culture.
The Sunday Mail, parroting a tired Zanu PF tactic that is normally deployed when that party's fortunes are plummeting, ran a wild story saying the MDC-T is training youths in one of South Africa's province in preparation for what the Zanu PF mouth piece said was a plan to do a "Benghazi" in Zimbabwe.
"This is rubbish because it is absolutely not true that the MDC-T is receiving military training anywhere," said Hon. Douglas Mwonzora, the party spokesman.
"We saw a similar campaign in late 2008, when a jittery Zanu PF went on rampage, abducting and torturing MDC-T officials and pro-democracy activists on spurious charges of undergoing training in Botswana."
At the time, Zanu PF even took the complaint against Botswana to SADC. After an investigation, the lies were exposed and Zanu PF emerged with stinking mud on its nose.
"We also are at a loss as to why these allegations can be made against the party. It is not true that the three are on the run and it is also not true that the party is hiding them. Police must just learn to do their work professionally.
"This is a purely criminal matter and is being spoiled by the police politicising the case and trying to establish links where none exist."
The MDC-T is the largest political party in Zimbabwe today and has absolutely no reason to resort to banditry especially after defeating Zanu PF on 29 March 2008.
The party, bound by a non-violent philosophy and political ethic, derives its strength from and mandate from the people.
In 2008, 18 innocent civilians, including a two year old toddler and political activists were abducted, tortured and detained for a lengthy period on false accusations that they plotted to topple the government through terror and banditry.
For the record, the MDC-T has made it clear that the real battle ground is, and has always been, for a clean transfer of power through the ballot box. The party has demonstrated and maintained this position in spite of attempts by Zanu PF to provoke it towards a violent culture.
The Sunday Mail, parroting a tired Zanu PF tactic that is normally deployed when that party's fortunes are plummeting, ran a wild story saying the MDC-T is training youths in one of South Africa's province in preparation for what the Zanu PF mouth piece said was a plan to do a "Benghazi" in Zimbabwe.
"This is rubbish because it is absolutely not true that the MDC-T is receiving military training anywhere," said Hon. Douglas Mwonzora, the party spokesman.
"We saw a similar campaign in late 2008, when a jittery Zanu PF went on rampage, abducting and torturing MDC-T officials and pro-democracy activists on spurious charges of undergoing training in Botswana."
At the time, Zanu PF even took the complaint against Botswana to SADC. After an investigation, the lies were exposed and Zanu PF emerged with stinking mud on its nose.
"We also are at a loss as to why these allegations can be made against the party. It is not true that the three are on the run and it is also not true that the party is hiding them. Police must just learn to do their work professionally.
"This is a purely criminal matter and is being spoiled by the police politicising the case and trying to establish links where none exist."
The MDC-T is the largest political party in Zimbabwe today and has absolutely no reason to resort to banditry especially after defeating Zanu PF on 29 March 2008.
The party, bound by a non-violent philosophy and political ethic, derives its strength from and mandate from the people.
In 2008, 18 innocent civilians, including a two year old toddler and political activists were abducted, tortured and detained for a lengthy period on false accusations that they plotted to topple the government through terror and banditry.
Source - The Changing Times
