Civil society group denounces violent protests

The country’s civil society organisations have called on the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to put an end to careless rants that might lead to violent protests.

Taurai Gakanje national coordinator of Zimbabwe Citizens Forum said such statements are reckless and uncalled for and if left unchecked might lead to a repetition of the August 1 and January 14 protests which led to the death of innocent people.

“Retrospectively during the pre-elections era the MDC Alliance made similar statement and actions which eventually exploded in August resulting in destruction of property, loss of lives and spoiled diplomatic relations which hitherto has been progressively improving,” alluded Gakanje

He made the remarks in the wake of Tendai Biti ‘s statement uttered  at a rally in Bulawayo a week ago.

“We must complete the journey that we started at Rufaro stadium on September 11, 1999. That means we want to put this man at Number 1 Chancellor Lane also known as state house before the end of this year,” Biti said

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti have been threatening to start more protests soon after the upcoming national elective congress as a way to push the government to address economic hardships in the country.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Monday, Gakanje said it is every person’s democratic right to demonstrate but protestors should not expose lives of citizens to danger.

Gakanje said

“We believe in freedom of expression and that masses should demonstrate to address grievances but in a lawful way that doesn’t expose citizens to danger”.

MDC members and other civil rights leaders have been accused of uttering hate speech  which motivated violent protest in August 2018 and January 2014.

Currently civic organisations leaders Japhet Moyo ,Peter Mutasa,  Evan Mawarire and politicians Charlton Hwende and Joana Mamombe of MDC are facing charges of planning to subvert a constitutional government.