Harare-The Nelson Chamisa led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has postponed its 20th Anniversary celebrations which were scheduled for Saturday to join the nation in mourning former President Robert Mugabe.

The celebrations have however been pushed to 28 September. Addressing journalists at party’s headquarters in Harare, Nelson Chamisa said the decision to postpone the anniversary which marks two decades of the opposition party’s existence was unanimously reached by the party’s leadership.

“The MDC was due to hold its important 20th Anniversary on Saturday the 14th of September 2019 at the Rufaro Stadium here in Harare. It is clear that this day has now been on account of deliberations by the leadership and on a unanimous position by the leadership to postpone this day so that we set aside this weekend and the coming days for the day of national mourning and in line with the national memorial,” said Chamisa.

The opposition leader said the party has pushed the commemorations to the 28th of September 2019 to avoid competing with Cde Mugabe’s funeral arrangements.

Contrary to reports that the opposition party was planning to hold demonstrations on the day of the burial, Chamisa said his party will not use Cde Mugabe’s funeral to score political points.

“In order to give peace a chance and allow for nation building in the context of tolerance and human dignity we continue to deploy our might and main to things that unite us than those that may divide us.

“The MDC does not make profit out of tragedies. For that reason the party will not use Mugabe’s death to score political points. We have sufficient avenues and platforms to address challenges facing the motherland outside funerals” Chamisa said