PICTURES of MDC demo in Mutare

MUTARE – Thousands of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) supporters turned up at the Meikles Park in Mutare for another round of the party’s freedom marches against President Robert Mugabe’s continued rule.

Party president Morgan Tsvangirai who is recovering from an operation held in South Africa last month was absent from the demonstration despite his spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka having confirmed in an interview with the Daily News that his boss would be there.

Unlike previous demonstrations in Harare, Bulawayo and Bindura where the High Court had to step in to grant the rejuvenated opposition political party clearance to hold its demonstration, local police in Mutare okayed June 23 for the demonstration.

This however was not before the MDC-T was forced to change the date of the demonstration from June 25, a Saturday, to Thursday, June 23, after they were informed rather suspiciously that Zanu PF had booked Saturday for its own demonstration.

Speaking to Nehanda Radio, MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu said “The MDC Manicaland provincial demonstration was successfully held in the City of Mutare on June 23,2016.

“About 10 000 people for over 5 km from the Beit Hall in Sakubva until they reached the Meikles Park in the CBD where they were addressed by VP Hon.Thokozani Khupe who delivered President Morgan Tsvangirai’s speech. The demonstration was a resounding success that literally brought the city of Mutare to a virtual standstill,” Gutu said.