Harare: Zimbabwe’s main opposition the Movement for Democratic Change party is forging ahead with nationwide protests scheduled for Friday the 16th of August 2019.
The protests are meant to pile pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has remained clueless in finding solutions to the country’s multi-faceted crisis.
The MDC dismissed reports circulating on social media that the party had developed cold feet and called off the protests which are planned to start in the capital Harare before spreading to other cities across the country.
“We are going ahead with the protests, and not just on Friday…it’s a series of protests,” MDC spokesperson Daniel Molekele told journalists during a press conference in the capital on Wednesday.
“It’s a permanent process (protests) until we resolve the crisis. So, we are starting with Harare on Friday, Bulawayo on Monday, then Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare…we will have more cities joining in the protests.”
The ruling Zanu PF party has reacted angrily to calls for nationwide protests, with the party’s youth threatening to also flood the streets to thwart the demonstrations - a harbinger for violence.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for peace among the citizenry after January protests over the high cost of fuel left nearly civilians dead, several arrested and beaten by the security forces.
