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THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police yesterday cleared a rally by citizens across the political divide led by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association against President Mugabe’s continued stay in office as they urged the public to be peaceful and orderly. The rally is taking place at the historic Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare.

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ONLINE UPDATES: Happiness Chikwanha, IMAGE EDITOR: Clearance Munondo, PHOTOGRAPHY: Wilson Kakurira; Munyaradzi Chamalimba; SOCIAL MEDIA: Michelle Hakata

12:17 – Thousands of people have thronged the city of Harare to participate in the historic march to State House to get rid of President Robert Gabriel Mugabe who has been in power since independence in 1980. The march will be preceded by a massive rally by all citizens which have been organized by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association led by Comrades Chris Mutsvangwa, Victor Matemadanda and Douglas Mahiya.

The rally is taking place at the Zimbabwe Grounds in the revolutionary suburb of Highfields, where 37 years ago President Mugabe descended to an equal mass crowd as he stepped in to lead a new Zimbabwe following years of colonial rule under the white minority.

President Mugabe had widely proved to be an icon of black championship who fought against imperialism to the extent of making Zimbabwe one of the few post-colonial countries where whites are viewed as any other citizen equal to blacks.

President Mugabe championed the land reform programme which benefited thousands of blacks in an effort to champion black economic empowerment.

However the revolutionary train derailed somewhere along the way with what analysts and critics described as a “bedroom coup” and a capture of the First family by criminal elements masquerading under the banner G40. In the forefront of the G40 faction have been politicians like Professor Jonathan Moyo who previously has been very critical of President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, vowing to destroy the party from within. It is therefore not surprising that latterly the G40-led cabal was targeting politicians with a liberation war history with the latest casualty having been Vice President Mnangagwa.

It is Cde Mnangagwa’s dismissal from the party that triggered anger across the country as the VP, popularly known as Ngwena or Crocodile was dismissed from Government in a strategy widely viewed as a way of paving the way for the ascendance of First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe to the position of Vice President.

Stay Logged in and participate in the discussion below on what is to be raised in this historic rally.

12:54 – Meanwhile the rally at Zimbabwe Grounds has just ended after political leaders who include Comrades Patrick Chinamasa, Oppah Muchinguri, Douglas Mahiya and Victore Matemadanda addressed the massive crowd. Movement for Democratic Change vice president Nelson Chamisa also had the opportunity to greet the massive crowd from the podium.

12″ 57 – The procession is now marching into town, from where they are expected to proceed to State House, where roads are clogged with thousands wanting to see President Mugabe out.

13:06– A massive crowd is marching from Fourth street in Harare towards Robert Mugabe grounds behind the Rainbow Towers Hotel where people are converging to proceed to State House.

13:14 – From the streets Jah Prayzah’s “Mudhara Vachauya” and Kutonga Kwaro Gamba” songs are bellowing from car radios of celebrating youths.

13:43 – Oliver Mtukudzi’s “Bvuma wasakara” is also being played loudly at the Robert Mugabe Square and in the streets of Harare. Oliver Mtukudzi ironically played last week at the event to officially rename Harare International Airport to Robert Mugabe Gabriel Mugabe Airport.

13:45 – The thousands are marching in solidarity with the ZDF which stepped in to save the situation Zimbabwe was facing under President Mugabe who allowed himself to be swayed by the G40 cabal led by Professor Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Patrick Zhuwawo and others whilst these had the backing of the First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe.

14:16 – It’s all hooters in Harare . . . as people march and celebrate to see President Mugabe leaving power . . . a revolutionary whose legacy criminals have managed to destroy. ZDF had to save the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

15:36 – Meanwhile the army is controlling people at State House due to overwhelming multitudes as thousands from across the nation descend in solidarity against President Mugabe.

 15:57 – Just two weeks back First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe addressed thousands of apostolic sect members at Rufaro Stadium in Harare during a Church Interface rally dubbed Super Sunday where she unequivocally called for the dismissal of Vice President Mnangagwa, branding him the source of Zanu-PF factionalism.

Apostolic churches are well known for their prophecies, and in this case one would wonder why no single prophet foresaw what what lied ahead two weeks away, for the First Family.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME . . . Watch the videos below

 

16:53 – 

 

WATCH MORE VIDEOS BELOW

17:14 – Twist and turns of life . . . Renowned media scholar Dr Hayes Mawindi Mabweazara turns back the hands of time tweeting a picture of Professor Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere having coffee. The two were largely believed to be the frontiers of the G40 faction.

 

17:21 – Professor Jonathan Moyo arguably the only local politician to have dominated social media more than other politicians, had used Twitter to attack liberation war veterans and former Vice President Mnangagwa. Professor Moyo last tweeted on November 14, 2017.

 17:26 – Meanwhile streets parties continue to take place through out the central business district of Harare.

 

 

 

18:44 – Following a week of high drama, Zimbabweans from across the political divide,  ordinary Zimbabweans, civic society organisations, the churches all came together in a peaceful solidarity march led by the War Veterans. The historic march organised to support calls for President Robert Mugabe to step down, was marked by euphoric scenes across the country’s capital Harare . The march was punctuated with speeches, solidarity messages and scenes of jubilation.