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10 provinces for localised launches of the National Anti-Sanctions Petition Campaign.
President Mugabe presided over the national launch early this month at a ceremony that was attended by thousands of people in Harare.
A Government statement yesterday said the anti-sanctions campaign was in fulfillment of the Global Political Agree- ment.
“Article IV of the GPA commits all political parties, that is, Zanu-PF, the MDC-T and MDC, to fighting illegal sanctions imposed on the Zimbabwean people by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States of America and international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank,” reads the statement.
The statement said Article IV acknowledged the impact of the illegal sanctions on the economy, ordinary people’s standard of living and availability of crucial lines of credit.
“The anti-sanctions campaign thus falls within this quest and commitment made by all parties to the GPA to take a stand against these illegal sanctions by signing to the anti-sanctions petition,” further reads the statement.
The venue for Bulawayo is Stanley Square, while in Harare people will gather at the Zanu-PF provincial offices and in Manicaland the launch will be at Meikles Park in Mutare.
Other venues are Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera (Mashonaland East), Chipadze Stadium in Bindura (Mashonaland Central), and Chinhoyi Stadium (Mashonaland West).
Masvingo Province’s launch has been moved from Muchakata to Mucheke Stadium while the Matabeleland South ceremony has also been moved from Gwanda District Club to St Christopher Primary School.
Proceedings in Matabeleland South will now be led by Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Olivia Muchena and not Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche.
Somhlolo Stadium is the venue for Matabeleland North.
The ceremonies will commence at 10am.
Zanu PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo urged the nation to maintain the momentum that has been built in past weeks in mobilising against the sanctions.
“People should come in their thousands and should not feel discouraged by the actions of the MDC-T (which has distanced itself from the GPA commitment).
“The people of Zimbabwe have suffered enough from the illegal sanctions and we expect them to sign the petition in their numbers to send a clear message,” he said.
Cde Gumbo said they were confident that the targeted two million signatures would be collected.
The Zimbabwe Opposition Political Parties Council also called on Zimbabweans to turn out in their numbers to sign the anti-sanctions petition.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare, ZOPPC – which brings together local opposition parties – said it was every Zimbabwean’s duty to condemn the illegal sanctions.
ZOPPC president, Reverend Gerald Mubaiwa, said it was incorrect to claim that the embargo was targeted.
“The United Nations should come clear on the sanctions because they were imposed outside its system hence they are illegal.
“We believe the sanctions have been used by MDC-T to try to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.
“The UN should not be quiet, they ought to be clear. The United States has been invading other countries without its approval. We don’t condone that.”
ZOPPC secretary-general Mr Kisnot Mukwazhi said all progressive Zimbabweans should condemn the embargo and append their signatures to the anti-sanctions petition.
The two MDCs have refused to take part in the anti-sanctions lobby despite their GPA obligations.
Meanwhile, police in Harare Province have warned people against attending an unsanctioned “peace rally” being organised by MDC-T at Glamis Arena.
“Members of the public are being advised that the meeting is unsanctioned by the regulating authority as required by the law.
“Any gathering at the mentioned venue will be an unlawful gathering and as police we are going to ensure that any unlawful gathering is dealt with according to the laws of the country,” said Sergeant Tapiwa Chivende.