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MDC to fight ban on Congress preparations
Movement for Democratic Change
March 07, 2011

The MDC pledges to raise the pace of its traditional challenge for democratic space with increased intensity following a decision by then police, on the instructions of Zanu PF, to ban its in-house, national preparations for the party third congress. The party was surprised to learn that all its internal restructuring processes were instantly classified as illegal gatherings in Bulawayo, Mashonaland West and East provinces at the weekend with the police claiming to be under instructions to place Zimbabwe in state of high alert.

The decision is a ruse to justify the sabotage of the MDC's forthcoming congress. Zimbabwe faces no internal or external threat in a region as peaceful as SADC. The police decree will certainly be challenged as it was a result of Zanu PF paranoia, fear of the people and political hysteria. Of concern is the selective application of the security laws. Countrywide, the people of Zimbabwe witness Zanu PF at its meetings which are held without any sanction or interference. But then the MDC attempts to meet the party is denied such an opportunity on flimsy grounds.

Our meetings are not open to the public. They are attended by purely by party members to renew their leadership structures as prelude to the third congress. To classify such private gatherings as a danger to national security is as misguided as it callous. Zanu PF intention is to weaken the party, render it ineffective and confuse a people seeking to re-energise its leadership for Zimbabwe's final lap to total freedom.

The MDC deplores the weekend ban which inconvenienced thousands of party activists keen to partake in a basic house-cleaning exercise before party re-affirms its covenant with the nation at congress. We have noted with dismay a disturbing trend to target the MDC for attacks, arrests, harassment and vilification all our senior officials, legislators and activists in a bid to scatter them and to disrupt our party functions.

We wish to assure the people of Zimbabwe that the MDC congress shall go ahead according to our plan and programme. The march to a total democracy, led by the party of excellence, cannot be stopped by a minority clique in Zanu PF which is terrified of change.

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