Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance has asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to supply food aid to needy communities without the involvement of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) officials.
Development Diaries gathered that the MDC also accused the party of looting donations meant for the needy, saying that NGOs should give aid directly to communities.
The group called for the immediate release of all rights activists, including Job Sikhala, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, Chalton Hwende, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Netsai Marova, Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume, and Godfrey Kurzone.
‘The party notes the efforts of South Africa and the ANC in facilitating the resolution of the national crisis. The party restates its commitment to dialogue centred on comprehensive reforms, national healing, and the return to legitimacy and democracy’, the MDC said in a statement.
‘The party supports the efforts of the ANC and calls for the involvement and scaffolding of the process by the international community, in particular, SADC and the African Union’.
It is understood that scores of campaigners and protesters have been arrested in an expansive clampdown in the country.
And in a speech to the nation on 4 August, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared that his government was facing ‘many hurdles and attacks’ and that ‘the bad apples who have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems will be flushed out’.
He added, ‘We will overcome attempts at destabilisation of our society by a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors’.
Reacting to the unrest in the country, a group of NGOs condemned the government’s iron-fist approach to addressing grievances of citizens, including the vilification of dissenting voices that are calling for the promotion of lawfulness, tranquillity, peace, equity, and fairness, inclusive and sustainable development, respect for human rights and constitutionalism.
Source: Zim Eye
Photo source: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
