Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader Joice Mujuru dates Masvingo province tomorrow, where she is expected to capitalise on the momentum generated by Wednesday’s national protests and take the ruling Zanu PF government to the cleaners over its failed economic policies.
Source: Mujuru dates Masvingo – NewsDay Zimbabwe July 8, 2016
BY TATENDA CHITAGU/XOLISANI NCUBE
The rally, scheduled to take place at Mucheke Stadium, is Mujuru’s third one after disgruntled Zimbabweans thronged her maiden rallies in Bulawayo and Harare last month.
Police have cleared the rally, but imposed stringent conditions which include a ban on honking of cars to the venue, use of hailers to drum up support as well as toyi-toying by ZimPF supporters.
ZimPF organising secretary Dzikamai Mavhaire yesterday said it was all systems go for the rally.
“All roads are leading to Mucheke Stadium on Saturday (tomorrow) as we host our party president Dr Joice Mujuru. We urge everyone to come and hear what she has to offer for a new Zimbabwe,” Mavhaire said.
Mujuru and her lieutenants were expelled from both Zanu PF and government in 2014 for allegedly plotting to topple President Robert Mugabe, a charge she has publicly denied.
Meanwhile, Mujuru has confirmed her readiness to join other opposition parties in a coalition to dislodge Mugabe in the 2018 elections.
Addressing journalists at her Harare home early this week, Mujuru said opposition parties had informally agreed on the principle but now awaited formalisation of the process.
“It’s not a personal decision, but it has to come from the people at out convention which we are yet to hold. But yes, we are in agreement with other parties. As democrats, we know the need for us to work together. Let me say this: It will not be an event, but a process,” she said.
Calls for an opposition coalition to face Mugabe in 2018 have been growing by the day amid reports personal egos were holding back some opposition leaders from coming to the negotiating table.
But analysts Ibbo Mandaza and Ernest Mudzengi yesterday warned that the proposed coalition would not achieve the desired results as long as there were no electoral reforms.
“A coalition will not help much because all we need at the moment are reforms. Without reforms, no coalition will win any election. But before that, we need a transitional mechanism to ensure that we create a level playing field before we talk of elections and coalitions,” Mandaza said.
Mudzengi concurred, saying: “A coalition only helps to get the numbers needed, but there is need to dismantle the system.”
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