The Herald

Zanu PF Star Rally-Chitungwiza Updates

13:38 Politburo member Cde Charles Tavengwa says he is confident that Zanu PF will win the elections. The crowd is now waving to the President as he and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe leaves Chibuku Stadium.

13:30 The President thanks the Vapostori for their supporters and says the people should have faith in Zanu PF and vote for the party. He ends his address.

13:20 The President has called for peace as July 31 draws near. He says it’s commendable that Tsvangirai preaches peace as well but it is his followers he has to teach.

13:10 President Mugabe says July 31 is almost here and people should remember the story of the Israelites after fleeing Egypt. The complaints were numerous and that same cry comes from the MDCs yet they called for sanctions. They blaming everything on President Mugabe. “Ofcourse the whiteman is gone but he left the land or maybe took even his tractor but you have your plough and cattle go on farm the land, tomorrow you will have your own tractor,” he said.

13:02 The President laments the high rate of rape cases that see some men molesting their own children.”For a country full of girls why do you go rape. If you can’t court a woman why don’t you come and see VaMugabe maybe he can teach you how he used to do it as a youth,” he said.

12:58 President Mugabe has castigated councils for taking people’s houses because of their failure to pay levies. He said the people should vote for leaders that are people oriented so that they work to make people’s lives easier.

12:54 He says Chitungwiza is the biggest township and them not having water is a major health problem. “Water is important, health is important but these MDC councils are full of corrupt people who have never seen money in large quantities and started abusing your levies instead of using them for service delivery,” President Mugabe says.

12:48 President Mugabe says MDC-T’s Tendai Biti abused US$500 million from the IMF that was meant for industry resuscitation.

12:41 He says his party has plans to uplift the youth and women. The President promises to support industry.

12:40 President Mugabe says the country’s wealth is what the West is hankering for. The same mineral wealth that make them slither and visit the country’s friends seeking regime change.

12:32 He says Zimbabwe is full of educated people who should build the country. He said the country doesn’t need the whiteman in order to prosper.

12:29 He mocks the MDC mantra of “change” saying how can you change the fact that you are Zimbabwean?

12:25 President Mugabe says he has not come just to give a history lesson but today should be a reminder that only two weeks are left before July 31. A day were the people will be called to vote.

12:21 He asks how a black man can sell their own country to the British? He says he will not let the West dictate the affairs of Zimbabwe.

12:19 “If there are people who are still lost let’s not consider them as animals no-matter what. As long as you are a black person let’s bring them back,” said President Mugabe.

12:18 He said the power to control the country’s resources should be in the hands of the people. “You took the land, you should celebrate. You had fallen asleep in 2008 and the enemy got an opportunity to enter,” said President Mugabe.

12:12 President Mugabe says by getting the chance to go to school his generation got to understand the magnitude of abuse Ambuya Nehanda and her followers were subjected to. They decided to take up arms against the aggressors and that started the Second Chimurenga because the time to regain the country had come.”Our dignity is back, Zimbabwe is ours!,” he said.

12:10 The crowd is currently being given a history listen on the First Chimurenga that was led Ambuya Nehanda.

12:07 President Mugabe says the liberators of the country were thrown in jail and abused by the settlers.

12:05 President Mugabe is now addressing the rally.

12:01 Party National Commissar Cde Webster Shamu is now addressing the gathering. He says the President was born loving peace and unity. He described him as a world leader citing the education of the US and French leaders as uncomparable to President Mugabe.

11:44 President and Zanu PF First Secretary President Mugabe has just arrived.

10:48 Thousands are still outside the venue but it looks like there isn’t anymore space inside Chitungwiza’s Chibuku Stadium.

10:37 President Mugabe is expected to address the gathering around 11am. This is the revolutionary party’s fourth Star Rally after the historic manifesto launch at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield.

10:28 With proceedings yet to start people are being entertained by Mbare Choir and waiting to go on stage is Cde Chinx and many other artistes.

10:24 Chibuku Stadium is proving too small a venue for the massive crowd that has thronged it for the Zanu PF Star Rally to be addressed by President Mugabe.