The Save Zimbabwe Campaign, a coalition of churches, students and opposition
parties fighting for political reforms in the country, called the rally at
Zimbabwe Grounds, in Harare's working class suburb of Highfield.

Zimbabwe Grounds was the scene of violent clashes between Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) party supporters and the police last month.

The main faction of the splintered MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai said the
weekend rally was meant to officially launch a campaign against plans by
President Robert Mugabe to extend his term by two more years to 2010.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade of
Unions, the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), the Zimbabwe National
Students Union (ZINASU) and both factions of the MDC, all confirmed that
they will attend the rally.

On Thursday, the NCA, ZINASU and the Tsvangirai-led MDC, distributed fliers
in Harare asking their supporters to attend the rally.

"Kindly come and contribute to the push for a democratic and people-driven
constitution. Come and make a profound statement against tyranny and
dictatorship," read one of the fliers.

Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson in Tsvangirai-led MDC, confirmed that his
party would attend the rally.

"We are not going to miss any opportunity that gives us a platform to
liberate our country. The country is in ICU (intensive care unit) so we
cannot sleep until we rectify the situation," said Chamisa.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said the police will not tolerate any
unruly behaviour in Harare .

"As you are aware, there is a ban on such activities until May so we will
not allow any illegal activity to take place. In fact, we are geared for any
unruly behaviour," said Bvudzijena.

Police imposed a ban on rallies and marches around the country following
last month's running battles in Highfield with supporters of the MDC. The
MDC said the ban on rallies was tantamount to imposing a state of emergency
with the police arguing it was necessary to allow tensions to calm in
politically volatile urban areas.

Zimbabwe is on a political knife-edge as a deep economic recession takes its
toll on a population grappling with inflation of nearly 1 600 percent,
surging unemployment and poverty.

The tensions have worsened since last December following proposals by the
ruling ZANU PF party to extend Mugabe's term by two more years under an
election "harmonization" plan that will see presidential elections that were
scheduled for next year coinciding with parliamentary elections in 2010.

The MDC and civic groups have vowed to resist the plan saying the country
could not afford to have Mugabe in power for two more years.