MDC & State Security Likely To Clash On The 16th Of August?
Opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa is expected to take it to take to the streets on the 16th of August over the deteriorating state of Affairs in the country.
The demonstration comes after State officials including defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and her deputy, Victor Matemadanda recently threatened to unleash soldiers on a “shoot to kill” mission in the event that protests materialise.
These remarks were however contradicted later by Foreign Affairs Minister, Sibusiso Moyo, who announced that the army will never again be used to crush demonstrations.
Another government official, Killer Zivhu who is a ZANU PF member and legislator for Chivi South, recently discouraged citizens from participating in the demonstrations saying that it was “better to be poor and alive”. The statement has been interpreted by some as to mean that the State would violently squash the demonstration.
This would be a strong redolent of the January 2019 and August 1, 2018 demonstrations which resulted in the death of scores of civilians. This was after the state deployed the army who fired live ammunition on protesters and some who were within the vicinities of the demonstrations but going on their day to day business.
Both events were widely and wildly condemned by human rights organisations and the international community at large.
The State accused protesters of being violent as some reportedly vandalised infrastructure and looted from shops.
Meanwhile, the MDC has said that the massive demonstration will be as peaceful as a church service.
More: 263Chat