Mwonzora speaks on MDC demos

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has  called upon the MDC members to join the demonstrations despite governments warning that they will respond harshly to demos.

"Recently the MDC National Council resolved that the party would soon embark on nationwide demonstrations. The sole purpose of the demonstrations is to put pressure on the government to urgently redress the serious  political, social and economic problems bedeviling Zimbabwe.

"We will be demonstrating against corruption, state capture, and the refusal of government to implement devolution. We will demand a serious redress of the problems of poverty and misery to which our people have been consigned.

"The recent monetary policy has among other things led to the failure of our people to access healthcare facilities. These demonstrations will be done in terms of Section 59 of the constitution. The threats by the state to violently suppress these demonstrations will not deter us."

Recently the Minister of Home Affairs Cain Mathema said, "We are aware that there are some political leaders and civil organisations that are agitating for the unseating of the constitutionally elected Government of Zimbabwe through demonstrations.

"May I, therefore, reiterate that the Government has put the necessary security measures in place to ensure that law and order is maintained and anyone who is found inciting violence, intimidating people going about their business, advocating for illegal gatherings and influencing civil servants to go on strike, will certainly face the full wrath of the law."

Responding to Mathema's statements, AMH Boss Trevor Ncube said, Minister Cain Mathema, Public protests are part of a vibrant democracy. Democracy by nature is sometimes noisy and messy. Your role is to ensure protests are peaceful. Provide protection for the peaceful protesters, private property and members of the public.