MDC-T rally flops

Harare Bureau
THE MDC-T faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai held a low-key rally at Makomva shopping centre in Glen View yesterday after a handful of supporters pitched up even though Tsvangirai was scheduled to address the gathering.The rally started around lunch-time.

The master of ceremonies had earlier told the supporters that Tsvangirai and his entourage were expected at the rally around 3PM and urged people to move away from the roadside to create space for his convoy.

A source at the rally said Tsvangirai, after being told of the poor attendance, chose not to come and delegated deputy secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada to stand for him.

In a telephone interview MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa claimed Tsvangirai was not billed to address the rally.

“This was just one of our provincial rallies and the president had other commitments elsewhere and he was not billed to address this occasion,”  Chamisa said.

The rally was addressed by Mashakada who tried to incite violence calling on MDC-T supporters to demonstrate against the Zanu-PF-led government for “running down the country’’.

“What should we do? We should not remain silent. We must voice our concerns by demonstrating our anger,” Mashakada said.
Mashakada’s sentiments were echoed by one Shakespeare Mukoyi, of the youth assembly, who urged MDC-T supporters to defy government.

“We are not going to allow the 2008 scenario where people were beaten and nothing happened. I want to send this message clearly to Zanu-PF that they are going to cause chaos,” Mukoyi said.

“Let me speak without fear that if the police fail to look after Zimbabweans, the MDC-T will not allow that,” he said adding that: “It’s high time we defy the ‘dictactorial system’”.

The rally was also addressed by Thokozani Khupe, Job Sikhala, Paurina Mpariwa, Gift Chimanikire and Morgan Femai.

The supporters began dispersing around 4PM after learning that Tsvangirai was not coming.

The officials also took turns to attack suspended MDC-T secretary general  Tendai Biti’s faction accusing them of being sell outs.