Dzamara Prayer: Tsvangirai shares stage with Jabulani Sibanda
By Never Kadungure
HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Saturday shared the stage with notorious former war veteran’s leader Jabulani Sibanda at a prayer rally for abducted journalist Itai Dzamara in Highfield, Harare.
Sibanda was expelled from Zanu PF and the war veterans association last year in November after claiming that the First Lady Grace Mugabe had carried out a “bedroom coup”. He also claimed that power from President Mugabe had been “sexually transmitted” to the First Lady who was now running the country.
Before his expulsion Sibanda had risen to prominence by leading terror campaigns against opposition activists in several elections held in the country. On Saturday he cut a humble figure as he greeted Tsvangirai and shared the stage with him in demanding Dzamara’s safe return.
Speaking at the prayer meeting, Tsvangirai said Dzamara had brought Zimbabweans together regardless of their political diversity.
“What I see here is national convergence in our diversity, we are all saying Mugabe and his government are responsible. By the same spirit it means we can work together to rescue our nation from this mess.”
“I never thought that I will share the same platform with Jabulani Sibanda, but here we are, together, speaking the same language of change. ”
Leaders of other political parties who spoke at the prayer meeting said the government was responsible for the abduction of the journalist who was taken from a barbershop in Glen View on the 9th of March. Dzamara was bundled into a white Isuzu twincab by suspected state security agents.
Among the leaders who joined Tsvangirai in speaking against the abduction were Jabulani Sibanda, Zapu Vice President, Ms. Emilia Mukaratirwa, former Hurungwe West MP, Temba Mliswa, Transform Zimbabwe President, Jacob Ngarivhume and several civic society leaders.
Also present was Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) President, Dr Simba Makoni who read the joint statement signed by the leaders of six political parties. These were Makoni himself, Tsvangirai, Didymus Mutasa of People First, Jacob Ngarivhume, Dumiso Dabengwa (ZAPU) and Tendai Biti (Secretary General of MDC Renewal).
In the statement, the leaders said the State was liable for the disappearance of Dzamara and urged the government to comply with the High Court order to periodically update the nation on its efforts. Tsvangirai’s wife later handed over groceries and cash donated by Zimbabweans to the Dzamara family.
