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| Nelson Chamisa at his rural home in Gutu (File Pic) |
Upenyu
Chaota
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who
is currently on leave mourning over the loss of his mother, may be absent from
the planned July 31 protests called for by Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob
Ngarivhume.
Ngarivhume has since been arrested on inciting
charges and placed in remand to August 6 leaving the much hyped protests
leaderless with all eyes now pinned on Chamisa to lead from the front.
In a telephone interview with TellZim
News, Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda cast doubt on the biggest
opposition leader’s presence on the demonstration saying his boss was in his
personal space and deserves to get some rest and mourn his mother.
“President Chamisa is in his private
space and we honestly cannot expect someone who is mourning over the loss of
his mother to come and lead protests.
“He is on his leave and let him rest.
He has not been on leave since the 2018 elections and the man has worked so
hard and deserves a rest,” said Sibanda.
After the death of his mother, Chamisa
took a sabbatical from politics leaving one of his deputies Welshman Ncube to
take charge until he returns.
MDC Alliance national organizing
secretary Amos Chibaya told TellZim News that the July 31 protests were not
called for by his party and there was no need for people to look to Chamisa to
lead from the front.
Chibaya said the people of Zimbabwe
should not wait for anyone to come and free themselves from the chains of bondage
and poverty but have to take the initiative and lead from the front.
“President Chamisa is on leave and our
party is being led by acting president Welshman Ncube. If you want more
information regarding the participation of president Chamisa you have to go
through Ncube.
“But people should know that the
protests were not called for by the MDC Alliance but by Ngarivhume (Jacob). Our
party will simply show solidarity.
“It is high time that Zimbabweans rise
up in unison and stop looking to one person. The struggle is ours together and
we will achieve victory.
“The regime has since arrested
Ngarivhume with the intention of scaring people off but I am pleased that he
people are so raring to go. This is the mentality we want,” said Chibaya.
TellZim News could not get a comment
from MDC Alliance acting president Ncube as his mobile was out of reach.
Zanu PF has designated those who
participate in the ‘unconstitutional’ July 31 protests, aimed at usurping power
from a constitutionally elected government, as terrorists.
All Zanu PF wings have come out in full
support of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and vowed to defend him at all costs.
