THE Mthwakazi Republic Party was forced to cancel its rally scheduled for Wednesday in Gwanda after a local chief claimed that the proposed venue had already been booked.

The rally was scheduled for Chief Mzumuni’s area.

However, his counterpart Chief Mbiko Masuku claimed that he had already booked the venue for an event involving some unnamed non-governmental organisation.

MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo confirmed the developments.

"The rally was scheduled to be held  on Wednesday and the reasons for the cancellation of the rally according to our foot soldiers on the ground was that the chief was having a meeting with his subjects and some non-governmental organisations at the same hall where the MRP rally was supposed to be held," Moyo said.

Moyo claimed the rally had been cleared by the police.

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Other opposition parties such as the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) have complained that they were having challenges holding their rallies and other events especially in rural areas.

They have accused some traditional leaders of siding with the ruling Zanu PF to frustrate their activities.

Moyo also complained over the behaviour of the Gwanda chief, but said the opposition party respected the institution of traditional leaders.

"This comes as a big blow to the MRP family considering the logistics that the party had gone through canvassing for support,” he said.

“As such we are a party that respects traditional leaders and we don't want to create unnecessary tension with them,” he said.

MRP has of late engaged on grassroots campaigns to rally more support for the Matabeleland-based political group that is accused of pushing for cessation.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not hidden his dislike for any secession talk, and warned that MRP members face long jail sentences if they continue pushing the agenda.

But the MRP denies it is pushing for secession.