Nera to boycott businesses owned by Zanu-PF bigwigs

OPPOSITION political parties under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) have resolved on a raft of measures, among them boycotting businesses owned by Zanu PF bigwigs, to push government to implement electoral reforms.

For the past few months, #Nera has been protesting against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, but most of the demonstrations have been thwarted by the police.

After a meeting of the Nera technical group on Monday, the opposition parties resolved to intensify their push through both protests and other strategies that would also include ratcheting up international pressure on President Robert Mugabe.

Nera head of legal affairs Douglas Mwonzora said the political parties would expand their protests to include boycotting businesses owned by top government officials.

"If need be, we are going to picket key businesses of the offenders. We are also going to hold public meetings in cities, growth points, and townships to educate people on the need for electoral reforms," he said.

"The third strategy will be to embark on a legal blitz and take all outstanding matters to the court. Fourthly, we are going to escalate the crisis and cause a shutdown of Harare and other cities and, finally, we will embark on an international advocacy to Sadc, the African Union and United Nations."

Mwonzora welcomed the decision by the Judge President, Justice George Chiweshe, to allow both Nera and government to present their cases and make a once-off ruling on demonstrations so that the same matter would not be brought before the court over and over again.

"If you look at all the cases, we have defeated government, but it still continues to ban us from protesting, which is our constitutional right. We hope the move will put the matter to rest and allow us to practice our constitutional right peacefully," Mwonzora said.

Joelson Mugari, Nera leader of the National Transitional Working Group, said they would continue pushing government until electoral reforms are implemented.

"We are not backing down and will up the game. We are going to escalate the crisis. We are going ahead with the protests in Chitungwiza this week and nationwide next Friday," Mugari said.

He said Nera would notify the police of impending protests, but would not wait for their response as with or without notice, law enforcers continued to be brutal on demonstrators.

Transform Zimbabwe spokesperson Sungai Mazando said: "We shall be having joint venture rallies, public hall meetings and public debates to sell the Nera agenda to the common man who is bearing the brunt of the rogue and illegitimate regime.

"Nera shall maintain a strong social media presence to capture the youths."