MDC blasts war veterans

Following a recent statement by Mashonaland Central province war veterans leader Sam Parirenyatwa that the province is a "no-go area" for the opposition and they are ready to crash the alleged plot by MDC youths to roll out demonstrations in rural area, the opposition party has castigated the statement saying it is careless and misguided.

In a statement MDC provincial spokesperson for Mashonaland Central province Faith Chakwera said the outbursts by Parirenyatwa are regrettable.

"It is with regret that we note the unintelligent outburst and careless attack on our already sickly democracy by a group of misguided war veterans in Mash –Central led by one reckless and foul mouthed Sam Parirenyatwa to the effect that they would do anything to muzzle our democratic rights in the province," she said.

"Whilst we understand their need to remain relevant I their party politics, the war vet leader is warned to desist from exporting their uncivilised behaviours and political nuisance to defile our democracy."

Chakwera said the opposition party is ready to govern and Mashonaland Central province is waiting for its legitimacy like all the other provinces.

'We must emphasise  that the MDC is ready to govern and Mash Central like any other province is waiting for the legitimate pro people government and no amount of day light or midnight threats to kill our constitutionally guaranteed democracy shall work."
The spokesperson called on the on-going National Peace and Reconciliation Committee to intervene in their beef.

"We now call upon the National Peace and Reconciliation Committee to swiftly act against such malcontents and saboteurs of peace and democracy by reminding them of the basic definition of democracy, we now have functional Peace Committee in the province in which the two parties (ZANUPF and MDC) are represented in parliament, while we sit in the same Committee with the war veterans this statement is very disturbing and demeaning," Chikwera said.

Meanwhile, the hostility was triggered on the day of the African child celebrations in Mbire last week where MDC youth threatened to demonstrate in rural area in a bid to topple President Emmmerson Mnangagwa.

The war veterans leader vowed to stop that saying they will not allow the opposition party to export violence in the rural areas of Mashonaland Central province.