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NewsDay

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Updates: MDC-T demonstrates in Harare

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The Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T is today holding a demonstration in Harare city centre and NewsDay's Xolisani Ncube and Shepherd Tozvireva are in the streets, providing updates of the event as it unfolds.

The Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T is today holding a demonstration in Harare city centre and NewsDay’s Xolisani Ncube and Shepherd Tozvireva are in the streets, providing updates of the event as it unfolds.

Follow this page and our Facebook and Twitter for flash updates under the hashtag #MDCTdemo

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WE HAVE COME THE END OF THE UPDATES AS TSVANGIRAI ENDS HIS ADDRESS AND THE CROWDS BEGIN LEAVING THE VENUE. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

12:00

Morgan Tsvangirai is now addressing the crowd at Africa Unity Square. He says Zanu PF is clueless and unable to fix the country’s ailing economy.

In his brief speech,Tsvangirai urges the youth to take the future of Zimbabwe into their hands and announces that this demonstration is just the beginning of a series of mass action.

Tsvangirai (with megaphone) addresses crowds at the march
Tsvangirai (with megaphone) addresses crowds at the march

mdc demo 2

mdc demo

11:30 am

The crowds, now at an estimate 8 000 is singing and dancing along Nelson Mandela Avenue towards Parliament building.

Meanwhile dozens of police officers have blocked the part of Nelson Mandela Avenue that leads to the Parliament.

The jovial protesters are now proceeding to Africa Unity Square, where Tsvangirai is expected to address them.

Harare Mayor Ben Manyenyeni
Harare Mayor Ben Manyenyeni
MDC-T Spokesperson Obert Gutu
MDC-T Spokesperson Obert Gutu
Police officers (in the background) blocking Nelson Mandela Avenue
Police officers (in the background) blocking Nelson Mandela Avenue

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11:00 am

Flanked by the top leadership of the MDC-T, Morgan Tsvangirai has arrived to lead the demonstrations. Tsvangirai’s wife, Elizabeth, is also part of the demonstrations.

demo 6

demo 5

10:30 am

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora is addressing the crowd, which has so far grown to over 4 000.

He mentions the main opposition party is demonstrating over the $15 billion diamond revenue that President Mugabe said was not accounted for.

Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook

In addition, the MDC-T is protesting over the Zanu PF government’s failure to provide the 2.2 million that it promised in 2013.

Another issue, Mwonzora says, is that of the country’s poor human rights records, with focus on Itai Dzamara who was reportedly abducted last year and is yet to be found.

 

10:00 am

demo 2

Police have deployed water canons at Harare Magistrates court where thousands of MDC supporters are converged for the demo.

Some of the T-shirts here are inscribed “Where is my $15 billion?” -in reference to the money President Robert Mugabe said is missing from diamonds proceeds

Check what our readers are saying about the #MDCTDemo updates

 

demo 1

 

Despite earlie claims by police that there was not enough manpower, the uniformed forces – armed to the teeth, are littered all over the streets of Harare city centre.

Read: Court okays MDC-T demo

MEanwhile, the crowds are slowly swelling at the assembly point, most of them dressed in the MDC-T trademark red regalia.

 

demo 3