Chamisa Tells Supporters he is Zimbabwe’s Legitimate Leader

By Lawrence Paganga

Marondera – The MDC Alliance president, Nelson Chamisa, on Saturday reinforced his claim that he is the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe claiming that he received 2, 6 million of the presidential votes in the July 30, 2018, elections.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera last Saturday Chamisa said the July 30 presidential election results were rigged resulting in the lack of confidence in the leadership and the deterioration of the country’s economy.

“I have come back to Marondera to thank the people who voted for me and the MDC Alliance in July.  You voted for change, but it has not been easy as your vote was stolen,” he said.

“I won the election after receiving 2, 6 million votes and I would like to thank you for voting me under hostile conditions where you had no access to the voters’ roll while traditional leaders and State security agents were subjecting you to threats and intimidation.  The international community has even rejected the presidential election results as the results were not verifiable and traceable,” said Chamisa.

He said he was receiving appeals from various people pleading with him to endorse President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s win, but as a “God-fearing person”, he would not endorse a lie.

“Our challenge now is that we have a non-performing economy.  The people have no confidence in the economy. The civil servants have no confidence in the economy.  The position is that we have a government in place that is clueless,” he added.

He said the only way Zimbabwe could move ahead was to have a national dialogue and encourage healing.

However, Chamisa said it was difficult to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his party, Zanu PF. He said, as a result, the MDC Alliance was planning to hold demonstrations across the country to force the government to address the worsening economic meltdown and implement political and economic reforms.

“Holding demonstrations is a Constitutional right.  The MDC Alliance is not an underground movement and demonstrating is one of the tools that we will use,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chamisa said he was being followed daily by suspected State security agents.  

He alleged that on his way to Harare from Marondera after his rally, State security agents tried to abduct him in Ruwa.  However, the government has dismissed the claim and police are reported to be investigating the incident.

“I sympathise with those driven by lies and malice who rush to claim that threats to my life are false.  Far from it. Threats to my life are real. I am concerned about the security situation in our country,” Chamisa said.