(Last Updated on October 27, 2014 by Editor)
MARONDERA – War veterans in Marondera have deferred today’s planned demonstration that they intended to stage against zanu-pf provincial chairperson for Mashonaland East Ray Kaukonde for fanning factionalism and protecting white commercial farmers in the province.
Conveners of the demonstration met police officers yesterday in Marondera where it was agreed that police were incapacitated due to the official opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament by President Mugabe today.
War veterans secretary for finance for Marondera district Cde Patrick Makombe confirmed the development soon after meeting the law enforcement agencies.
“We have agreed to defer the demonstration to pave way for the issues raised by the ZRP during our meeting,” he said. “We have not cancelled the demonstration, but we will advise you once the issues that the police raised were dealt with. The meeting was quite amicable and some of the issues they raised were pertinent.”
According to a letter written by the police, the war veterans were urged to consider dialogue and they were advised to approach zanu-pf Politburo member Sydney Sekeramayi to raise their grievances with him.
“Please be kindly advised that the day set for the demonstration coincides with the official opening of Parliament as well as a Politburo meeting to which we are seconding manpower,” read the letter signed by Officer Commanding ZRP Marondera district Chief Superintendent Karuru.
“Therefore, the police is thin on the ground. Following a discussion between yourself and the Joint Operation Command of the province, it was suggested that there are other ways of forwarding grievances other than a demonstration.”
T
he demonstration had initially been pencilled for last Friday, but was deferred to allow the war veterans to notify the police in terms of the Public Order and Security Act. Makombe said the demonstration was against Kaukonde and his ally, Marondera East legislator and provincial secretary for security Jeremiah Chiwetu.
This comes in the wake of heavy criticism by First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe against Kaukonde for fanning factionalism during her “Meet the People” rallies that ended last week. Mugabe repeated the allegations against Kaukonde on Thursday at her Mazowe Home when she met war veterans.