Zimbabwe has dispatched over 200 buses across the country to ferry people for the anti-sanctions match that will be taking tomorrow; Minister of State for the Harare Metropolitan Province Engineer Oliver Chidawu has revealed. The Minister was addressing journalists at his offices in Harare today.
Zimbabwe and other Southern African Development Community set aside 25 October 2019 to call for the removal of sanctions targeted on Zimbabwean citizens and entities.
“Let us come out in large numbers to show the world that Zimbabwe is a free, democratic and peace-loving nation which needs everyone’s support as we strive for our economic emancipation,” Chidawu said.
“Buses will be available at usual pick up points from 6 am. The march will commence at the Robert Mugabe Square to the National Sports Stadium where solidarity messages will be delivered.”
The Minister revealed his pleasure in the SADC region’s decision to join Zimbabwe in calling for the unconditional lifting of the “illegal sanctions” which have had a debilitating effect on Zimbabwe and negative knock-on effects on the entire Southern region.
He said it is “saddening to note that despite Government’s spirited overtures led by President Mnangagwa, the USA and its Western allies remain adamant in their decision to have sanctions against Zimbabwe remain in place.”
“The sanctions which the USA and its allies claim are targeted have not only brought untold suffering to the masses in Zimbabwe but also negatively impacted the SADC region as a whole. They have also prevented the creation of mutually beneficial investment relations with the countries that have imposed sanctions on us.”
“We thus call upon all patriotic Zimbabweans to come out in their numbers in support of the call for the lifting of these unjustified economic sanctions. As we express our commonly felt desire for the removal of these sanctions against our country, I urge you all to be mindful of maintaining peace, law and order.”
The USA has always denied having sanction on the Zimbabwean economy but rather say the embargoes are targeted at individuals and institutions.
Western countries argue that the two-decades-long sanctions have not brought down the Zimbabwean economy and blame corruption in the southern African country.
Conditions set aside for the removal of sanctions by Western countries include the realignment of the law to the new constitution, respect of human right and also reforms in terms of the Mohlante commission.
The 2018 post-election violence and January crackdown on protests have also been laid by the USA and European Union (EU) to keep Zimbabwe under sanctions.
The buses are dispatched as follows, Harare, 100; Bulawayo, 50; Mash Central, 15; Mast East, 10; Manicaland, 10; Midlands, 20; Mat North, 10; Mat South, 10; Mash West, 20 and Masvingo, 20.