Violent protests an option: Tsvangirai

July 25, 2011

Violent protests an option: Tsvangirai

Africa early this year if it deems it necessary.
Addressing his supporters at Pfupajena Stadium in Chegutu yesterday, Mr Tsvangirai, whose party has been calling for security sector reforms, said some people were blaming his party for not violently toppling the Government saying violent protests were an option.

“I want to tell foreigners who have been saying the MDC is this or that, they have to know that each struggle has its own milestones.
“Yes, those in Egypt might have gone to the city and toppled the Government while those in Libya had to take weapons, in Malawi they are in the streets. The way we fight differs because the people and the conditions in that country define each revolution.

MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

“Hahusi umbwende hwedu isu vana veZimbabwe to choose the path we have chosen. Asi kana zvasvika nenguva yacho nemaconditions acho kana asvika pakadaro, another tactic can be employed.
“We don’t want violence . . . Tisu takawandaka nhai isu nekuwanda kwedu hatichada kurohwa asi hatidenhe vanhu,” Mr Tsvangirai said.

He urged Copac to expedite the constitution-making process so that the country can have a referendum in October or November this year.
“The agreement is that there should be a new constitution before we go for elections. There must be an agreement that there is no violence as we go for elections and there should be a guarantee that whoever wins, will be respected.

“Shuwa munhu ungavenga munhu zvekuti haundidi takanyengerana vakadzi here?”
Turning to the inclusive Government, Mr Tsvangirai said it had worked well for the betterment of livelihoods.

He said entering into the Inclusive Government was a good decision as this saw many things changing for the better.
“We entered the inclusive Government knowing that our policies are not the same, but there is a common denominator of programmes we can do together as Zimbabweans.

“There is a Government programme whose first priority is the economy, but we cannot achieve anything if we have conflict of policies.
“There are so many people who want to come and invest here but they cannot do it where their businesses are threatened,” he said.

He said Government was going to make sure that David Whitehead in Chegutu and Kadoma was going to be recapitalised.
MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti claimed that the country had never had peace since 1890.

He said the State has been sponsoring violence against its own people even up to now.
Turning to the inclusive Government, Mr Biti who is also the Finance Minister, said Zimbabwe had the potential of achieving a US$400 billion economy
“From the experience we have gained in the inclusive Government, it’s possible to build an economy worth more than US$400 billion in a few years. In 20 years we can build an economy worth more than US$100 billion. It’s all about putting people first,” Mr Biti said.

MDC-T national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo said the Inclusive Government was not working because the parties were enemies.
He also urged party supporters to wait for the party’s guidance at referendum.

“Referendum is coming and we will come as a party to tell you how you should vote. We should be united when we go for the referendum.
“If we say it’s okay, you have to support us, even if we say it’s not good you have to support us as well,” said Mr Moyo who is also Speaker of the House of Assembly.

MDC-T Women’s league representative Mrs Lynett Karenyi-Kore said women did not want elections because they were always victims of violence during elections.
“As women we are tired of being beaten and we don’t want elections because we will always be on the receiving end of violence,” she said.