But the 92-year-old president warned them that there would be no “Arab Spring”, in reference to the wave of protests, riots and civil wars that toppled leaders in parts of the Arab world.
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Tsvangirai said the regime was in its “sunset hour”, warning that efforts to suppress the protests would backfire.
“Those that organised it will be made to account”, he said.
The MDC’s leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former vice president Joice Mujuru are expected to lead Friday’s march.
Wednesday’s protest is the latest in a series of anti-Mugabe protests that have rocked Zimbabwe this year.
“While we hear those embassies gleefully rubbing their hands at the chaos, we did not hear them condemning the violence being perpetrated by these elements”, said political analyst and lawyer, Mr Terrence Hussein.
“The demonstration is going ahead [although] we know the police have already tear gassed the venue”.
Most businesses shut down early on Friday fearing looting by protesters. “The people’s desperation is very deep”, he said.
She added: “These are all indications that the rule of Robert Mugabe may be coming to an end”.
Truckloads of anti-riot police have been deployed as well as water cannons, frequently used to break up anti-government protests in the past two months.
Eighteen opposition parties met August 23 to plan the march to demand changes to electoral procedures, including giving them access to the voters’ roll and the establishment of an independent electoral commission that’s no longer controlled by the Justice Ministry.
Usually bustling with street sellers, the capital’s streets were bristling with police wielding batons and tear gas canisters.
Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said the force was still assessing the day’s events. “If you are not ready to sacrifice and win even copper or brass medals (referring the 4th and 5th positions) as our neighbors Botswana did, then why do you go to waste our money” he said.
On Friday, opposition groups want the government to ensure the electoral field is fair ahead of presidential and parliamentary votes due in 2018 and does not favour the ruling ZANU-PF party, as well as setting out a roadmap for the ballot.
Mugabe has also previously called retired Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube, who was an outspoken critic of his rule, a half-wit and a liar.
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The latest demonstrations come almost two months after the biggest large scale “stay at home” strike in Zimbabwe since 2007, inspired by social media movements such as #ThisFlag led by pastor Evan Mawarire.
