Report by Fani Mapfumo and Vanessa mhizha
The Movement for democratic change (MDC) president Nelson Chamisa has said there must be a national dialogue first to avoid violence in the country.
Chamisa speaking at the launch of the MDC Economic Blue print termed RELOAD shunned violence arguing that a national dialogue was the the only way forward to build the nation.
“Even if we are to use arms of war like we did in 1979 which we will not use, we will still need a conference or a dialogue but would have lost lives, so why should we resolve to violence if we can have a dialogue.”
He further said the party will employ radical but peaceful constitutional measures to tackle economic crisis saying this was not the time for staging demonstrations.
“You must have a game plan first before you go to a demonstration and if the time comes we everyone will demonstrate. When the time comes we will be radically peaceful in terms of the constitution… but as leaders, we need to heal the nation and lead by example”
The outspoken opposition leader further reiterated that a non-partisan national dialogue was the only way forward in Zimbabwe.
“National dialogue is a necessity; civilized societies use dialogue to solve problems not war.”
“No investors will invest in a country with this political division, they will all go away unless we show them that we are politically organized as a nation,” said Chamisa
Chamisa further said this was not the time for demonstration, but rather time to come up with a plan to build political pressure on Zanu PF to ignite a cognitive change.
The call for a nonviolent approach by Chamisa comes at a time the Youth Assembly has been calling for demonstrations against the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
Currently MDC youth assembly secretary general Gift Siziba is facing charges of inciting violence at a rally in Glenorah during the weekend.
The Vice-Chairman Job Sikhala is also being charged with attempting to overthrow a constitutional government when he was addressing party supporters at a rally in Bikita.
Besides the fresh charges on the two, more than ten MDC national and provincial leaders are facing charges of inciting violence during the 31st August 2018 and 14 January 2019 protest which led to the destruction of property and loss of lives.