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recruited about 340 youths to form what the party is calling “reaction teams” as suspicion that the Western-funded party is preparing to unleash violence gathers momentum.
Some of the youths (pictures) were central players in skirmishes that erupted at the rally yesterday.
Ironically, GPA principals- Zanu-PF first secretary President Mugabe, MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC president Professor Welshman Ncube – met in Harare on November 11 and initiated a drive to end inter-party violence that rocked the country over the past few months.
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Zimbabwe is preparing for harmonised presidential and parliamentary elections to be held early next year.
MDC-T national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo yesterday urged party supporters to fight back if Zanu-PF supporters provoked them.
Addressing hundreds of party supporters at an MDC-T rally held at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza, Mr Moyo said he did not expect to see people fleeing their homes because of violence saying they should fight back if Zanu PF supporters attacked them.
“The Zimbabwean constitution has a clause for self defence so you must fight those who attack you. You will be defending yourselves. Our youths should be organised to defend their parents and the party.
“We do not want to see anyone coming to Harvest House for shelter this time around. Deal with them out there,” he said.
Similarly, Theresa Makone – who is Home Affairs co-Minister, urged MDC-T followers to hit back and not just complain every time.
“If you are beaten hit back. We do not want people who just take it lying down. Look today there are very few women here – many have stayed home because they are afraid of what happened here last week when there was violence,” she said.
Mr Tsvangirai, however, urged the police to arrest all perpetrators of violence whether MDC-T or Zanu PF.
“There should be no discrimination. Every one guilty of acts of violence should be arrested. There is need for peaceful co-existence and at the meeting we had last week as the three principals of the
Global Political Agreement, we agreed that we would not tolerate any forms of violence,” said Mr Tsvangirai.
Mr Tsvangirai said all the parties made a commitment to rein in errant supporters but was quick to add that the pledge needed sincerity on the part of leadership.
“Leaders must be really committed to put an end to violence and must control their followers. People of Zimbabwe must enjoy peace and be free to exercise their political liberties,” he said.
Mr Tsvangirai said his party was no longer interested in the GPA but needed to see an end to it through the ballot box.
“The GPA is no longer working. It is a marriage between donkeys and cattle that can never see things in the same way. We are ready for elections next year but we want the elections to be free and fair.
“We are inviting friends from all over the world to come and witness our elections so that there are no irregularities like what happened last time,” he said.
The elections should be conducted in line with the dictates of SADC and there should be no party controlling them, added Mr Tsvangirai.
The MDC-T rally which was scheduled for last week was aborted after violent skirmishes pitting Zanu-PF and MDC-T youths amid reports that the latter had tried to force residents to attend the rally.
Online Reporter