Zimbabwe’s MDC marks 13th anniversary

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai.(REUTERS)

Tags:

• MDC
• Morgan Tsvangirai
• Anniversary
• Election
• Zanu-PF
• Robert Mugabe
• Harare
• Violence
• Sob Richard
• Political Reforms
• Elections
• Zimbabwe
• Rindai Chipfunde

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai has marked his party's 13th anniversary.  It comes days after the party rejected an early election timetable proposed by rival Zanu-PF leader and President, Robert Mugabe.

But not all party supporters are celebrating. At hostels in Harare's Mbare township people say violence is escalating.  Violence victim, Sob Richard says: "A lot of people packed the corridors singing, 'the sellout is here, we've found him.’ They broke down the door and beat my head with a log. My jaw was broken, then they threw me from the window from 2nd floor window."

It has been four years since violent elections forced rival parties to unite under a pact that promised peace and political reforms for fair elections. A new constitution is seen by many as a way to introduce checks and balances for pending elections.

Zimbabwe Election Support Network director, Rindai Chipfunde says: "Ensuring the security of the vote, the security of the voters and the smooth and timely announcement of the results - also selective application of the law especially to do with public order and security."

President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party denies it is sponsoring violence in the area, instead it blames the MDC for what it calls unacceptable levels of violence in the country.