News / National
MDCs threatens protests over by-elections
26 Feb 2015 at 12:31hrs | Views
The MDC formations led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Sekai Holland have drafted road maps to deal with the Zanu-PF government if it goes ahead with the March by-elections in Mt Darwin West and Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituencies.
Douglas Mwonzora, MDC-T secretary general, said they were preparing an urgent chamber application for the courts to suspend the by-elections.
"If the legal process fails, mass protests will be an option," he said.
Jacob Mafume, MDC Renewal Team national spokesperson, said their action plan would be three pronged.
"Legal action would be our first route. If the courts fail us, we will lobby parliament to render the by-elections a nullity. Peaceful mass demonstrations would be the last option - but we can no longer continue behaving as if nothing has happened," said Mafume.
He also pointed out that ZEC chairperson Rita Makarau told parliament under oath that she had no powers to register voters. But a few weeks later she indicated that she was in a position to carry out voter registration for the two constituencies.
Dumisani Nkomo, a Bulawayo-based analyst, said though the opposition had a case, they would struggle to convince the masses to protest.
"It would be difficult for people to heed the calls for mass action which have nothing to do with immediate bread and butter issues," he said, pointing out that the MDCs were chasing issues which were far down citizens' current priorities.
The NCA and Transform Zimbabwe parties and some independent candidates have since registered to contest against Zanu-PF in the by-elections boycotted by the two MDC formations. Sungai Mazando, TZ communications officer said: "We are not in the by-elections because the playing field is even, but to test the waters and avoid giving Zanu-PF the seats on a silver platter."
Douglas Mwonzora, MDC-T secretary general, said they were preparing an urgent chamber application for the courts to suspend the by-elections.
"If the legal process fails, mass protests will be an option," he said.
Jacob Mafume, MDC Renewal Team national spokesperson, said their action plan would be three pronged.
He also pointed out that ZEC chairperson Rita Makarau told parliament under oath that she had no powers to register voters. But a few weeks later she indicated that she was in a position to carry out voter registration for the two constituencies.
Dumisani Nkomo, a Bulawayo-based analyst, said though the opposition had a case, they would struggle to convince the masses to protest.
"It would be difficult for people to heed the calls for mass action which have nothing to do with immediate bread and butter issues," he said, pointing out that the MDCs were chasing issues which were far down citizens' current priorities.
The NCA and Transform Zimbabwe parties and some independent candidates have since registered to contest against Zanu-PF in the by-elections boycotted by the two MDC formations. Sungai Mazando, TZ communications officer said: "We are not in the by-elections because the playing field is even, but to test the waters and avoid giving Zanu-PF the seats on a silver platter."
Source - zimbabwean
