Movement for Democratic Change founding president Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday rallied his supporters to take to the streets in protest of what he said was the worsening economic situation in the country and to force the government to implement key democratic reforms ahead of the next elections.
Addressing supporters at the Unit L Community Hall in Harare’s satellite town of Chitungwiza, the former prime minister urged his supporters to confront President Robert Mugabe’s government over the deepening economic and political crises in the country.
Mr. Tsvangirai said Zimbabweans should “now take the bull by its horns” as the economic crisis shows no signs of abating.
Chitungwza resident, Albert Murahwa, supported Mr. Tsvangirai’s call, adding that it is now time for Zimbabweans to speak with one voice.
The opposition leader said pensioners are suffering the most due to the current economic meltdown.
He urged those who have not been paid by the National Social Security Authority to confront the authorities.
This is not the first time that Tsvangirai has called for mass action in the country. In 2008 he called for what his party called ‘The Final Push’ but that was a big flop as Zimbabweans didn’t turn-out in their numbers. Then there was the so-called winter of discontent in 2013, among others, which also failed to attract the masses.
The former prime minister is on a national tour consulting his supporters under a program that the MDCT has dubbed the Policy Dialogue Forum.
He was accompanied by the party’s secretary general Douglas Mwonzora, deputy national chairperson Morgan Komichi and national executive members of his party, Eddie Cross and Nelson Chamisa.