The family of the late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai says that it will not allow party regalia at his memorial service set for this Saturday at their family home in Buhera.
Family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai told news reporters on Monday that the family agreed to depoliticise the gathering and make it open to anyone who wants to attend and not make it an exclusive MDC function.
“This is not a political event but a memorial service for a politician who dedicated his life to bring democratic change in the country.
“Everyone is invited, we are not leaving anyone from across the political divide,” Manase said.
“The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai.”
Manase added that the family was hoping Zimbabweans would respect their wish.
“This is a memorial and we expect people to respect this family decision by putting branded t-shirts with his face only. This is our wish as a family as a measure of respect to the late Tsvangirai whom everybody called their icon,” said Tsvangirai’s brother.
Manase said security measures have been put in place to avoid unfortunate incidents of violent that happened at the funeral.
“The good thing is at the memorial you get to prepare compared to the funeral, so we expect people to respect the family and remember the late politician was a man who fought for every workers’ rights,” he said.
The rogue youths who were baying for the two’s blood almost torched the hut Mwonzora and Khupe were hiding in only to be saved by the rains.
According to Manase, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also been invited officially to attend the memorial.
“President Mnangagwa has been invited in his personal capacity and on behalf of the government.
“And everyone is invited, as I said before Morgan worked within the government and with nearly everyone,” added Manase.
Government according to Manase is also assisting the family with the expenses towards the memorial.