OPPOSITION parties yesterday said they were celebrating Zimbabwe’s 36th Independence anniversary today with a heavy heart due to the economic meltdown, escalating human rights abuses and high levels of political intolerance by the ruling Zanu PF.
BY EVERSON MUSHAVA/VENERANDA LANGA
This comes amid reports by human rights watchdog, ZimRights, that several people in most parts of the country had been coerced by Zanu PF supporters to make cash contributions towards this year’s Independence celebrations.
Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Zimbabwe People First leader said: “Thirty-six years after independence, we celebrate a revolution that has lost its glow and direction.
“We witness the demise of genuine democratic values and freedoms. Indeed a culture of political intolerance and State-sponsored violence is the order of the day. The scales of justice are tilted in favour of supporters of the ruling Zanu PF.
“In many cases, the law enforcement agents turn a blind eye on acts of violence by Zanu PF youths.”
In a joint statement, several other opposition parties, among them MDC-T, MDC, Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, African Development Party, National Constitutional Assembly, Zapu, People’s Democratic Party also pledged to find collective economic solutions and restore the country’s status as the breadbasket of Africa.
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“We, the said democratic opposition parties of Zimbabwe, in wishing all Zimbabweans a memorable commemoration of the 36th independence anniversary commit ourselves to work together tirelessly to secure for our people the values and principles of the liberation struggle which must be the foundation of a prosperous Zimbabwe,” the statement read.
“This year’s independence commemorations come at a time the nation is facing challenges, brought about by lack of leadership and manifested by a failed economy, pervasive corruption, high unemployment, the collapse of public service delivery, a ravaging drought, widespread hunger and general despair among our citizens.”
But Zanu PF politburo member and State Security minister, Kembo Mohadi called on Zimbabweans to jealously guard their hard-won independence despite the prevailing economic hardships.
“The government is aware of the economic hardships that people are facing and is working hard to ensure that the effects of sanctions are countered. This, therefore, calls Zimbabweans to jealousy guard their hard won Independence and continue defending the ideals of the liberation struggle,” he said.
