The MDC-T has revealed it will boycott this year's Independence celebrations to avoid being 'humiliated' by President Robert Mugabe and other Zanu-PF officials. In an interview yesterday, MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora, claimed that Zanu-PF has over the years turned national events into huge political rallies.
"We wanted to attend the Independence celebrations with the rest of the nation, unfortunately will not be part of them," Mwonzora said.
"We know the celebrations are going to be converted into a big Zanu-PF rally where (President Robert) Mugabe and other speakers will take turns to churn hate language against others, especially our party president Morgan Tsvangirai.
"We don't want to give Mugabe an opportunity to humiliate us….we will not take part in Independence celebrations in the provinces."
Zapu said while the day was an important occasion for the country, the party will not be taking part in the commemorations, as Zanu-PF had 'monopolised' the event.
"We are not going to be part and parcel of the celebrations," said Zapu secretary for information, Publicity and Marketing, Mjobisa Noko,
"Zanu-PF has monopolised the event and that is very unfair to stakeholders.
"While we cherish our independence as a country, we believe that we cannot have true independence unless we have total freedom and emancipation," said Noko.
However, MDC deputy spokesperson Sibongile Mgijima, said they would be attending the celebrations, as the day was important for all Zimbabweans.
"We will be attending the celebrations for Independence as it was not attained by Zanu-PF alone, this is special day for all Zimbabweans," Mgijima said.
"Zanu-PF officials might denigrate others in their speeches and call us all sorts of names on the occasion, but that won't change anything.
"We have always attended any national events in the past and will continue to do so…this year will not be an exception," said Mgijima.
Simba Makoni, president of Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn (MKD), told The Zimbabwe Mail his party members were free to attend the celebrations of their own free will.
"Independence Day is a national event and our party members are free to attend.
"We do not have a policy of forbidding members from attending Independence celebrations. It's their own choice to attend or not attend national events," said Makoni.
"We wanted to attend the Independence celebrations with the rest of the nation, unfortunately will not be part of them," Mwonzora said.
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| MDC-T, Zapu boycott Independence celebrations |
"We don't want to give Mugabe an opportunity to humiliate us….we will not take part in Independence celebrations in the provinces."
Zapu said while the day was an important occasion for the country, the party will not be taking part in the commemorations, as Zanu-PF had 'monopolised' the event.
"We are not going to be part and parcel of the celebrations," said Zapu secretary for information, Publicity and Marketing, Mjobisa Noko,
"Zanu-PF has monopolised the event and that is very unfair to stakeholders.
"While we cherish our independence as a country, we believe that we cannot have true independence unless we have total freedom and emancipation," said Noko.
However, MDC deputy spokesperson Sibongile Mgijima, said they would be attending the celebrations, as the day was important for all Zimbabweans.
"We will be attending the celebrations for Independence as it was not attained by Zanu-PF alone, this is special day for all Zimbabweans," Mgijima said.
"Zanu-PF officials might denigrate others in their speeches and call us all sorts of names on the occasion, but that won't change anything.
"We have always attended any national events in the past and will continue to do so…this year will not be an exception," said Mgijima.
Simba Makoni, president of Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn (MKD), told The Zimbabwe Mail his party members were free to attend the celebrations of their own free will.
"Independence Day is a national event and our party members are free to attend.
"We do not have a policy of forbidding members from attending Independence celebrations. It's their own choice to attend or not attend national events," said Makoni.
