Did Zimbabwe Opposition Parties Boycott Tsvangirai MDC March?
“It (the march) had MDC colors and it was led by the leadership of the MDC-T. And even when they sought the permission (for staging the public event) they did not make any excuses about it."
WASHINGTON DC — Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) founding president Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday led his party supporters in street marches against poverty, the deteriorating economic situation in the country and missing diamond funds estimated at least $15 billion. Some opposition parties did not join the march though they were invited to take part in the protests by the MDC-T. Despite this, representatives of some of the parties believe that they will work together with the MDC-T in the near future in staging such street protests. Zanu PF spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo was not reachable for comment on the protest as his mobile phone was not reachable. For perspective, Studio 7 reached Jacob Mafume, spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tendai Biti, and Sydney Chisi of the Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe. Mafume said the PDP was not invited to attend the event. “It (the march) had MDC colors and it was led by the leadership of the MDC-T. And even when they sought the permission (for staging the public event) they did not make any excuses about it. It was for the MDC to make a point in terms of national issues they wanted to make and I think we respect that.” He noted that they are open to future collaborations with the MDC-T, various political formations and related groups on such national issues. “We know that in this assembly, in this gathering for fighting for democracy there is a time for everything as it is being said in the book of Ecclesiastes … there is a time to join, there is a time to watch and there is a time to act and so there is a need to be organized in that manner.” He further said there is no need for just meeting but for political groups to mobilize and fight for democracy in Zimbabwe. Chisi said all organizations that have been participating in the National Electoral Agenda got the invitation and there are high hopes that the PDP would take part in such events in the near future.