Business came to a standstill in Chinhoyi on Saturday when most residents joined MDC-T activists to demonstrate against what they called Zanu PF mismanagement of the economy.
This was part of the beatthepot campaign, an initiative of the MDC-T Women’s Assembly.
The demonstration that was initially barred by the police, citing manpower shortages, was allowed to proceed by Chinhoyi magistrate Takawira Mugabe on Friday afternoon, leaving the organizers with little time to mobilize people for the event.
One of the demonstrators, Concillia Chinanzvavana, who was abducted in 2008 with seven others including her husband and spent 55 days at an unknown place being tortured by state security agents, said the people of Zimbabwe have been resilient for too long but are now demanding that the ruling party should be accountable to the electorate.
An MDC-T youth, who wanted to be identified as Obey, said President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party has failed to create two million jobs it promised in the 2013 general elections.
He said Mr. Mugabe should step down for failing the nation.
Some women were beating pots at the event, symbolizing that there is nothing to cook because there is no food at home.
One of those who was beating an empty pot is Mrs Angeline Mapondera of Chitambo high density suburb. Mrs. Mapondera said there is no food to cook as her husband was not gainfully employed.
Another youth, Lawrence Ginja, who joined the demonstration midstream, said he decided to join the event because demonstrations are the only way to force President Mugabe to listen to their problems.
The demonstrators urged the government to abandon the introduction of bond notes, pay civil servants on time and to bring back abducted activist Itai Dzamara.