Security forces are “firmly on the ground” to ensure
Zimbabweans go about their normal business undisturbed following threats of
another round of violent protests by MDC-Alliance and its affiliates,
Government has said.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural
Heritage Minister Cain Mathema and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said after last week’s violence that
resulted in loss of life and destruction of property, Government was ready to
firmly deal with people who break the law.
The ministers’ assurances follow threats by various groups
involved in last week’s violence that they plan to carry out more
demonstrations beginning today.
One of the organisers of last week’s three-day stayaway was
quoted in some private media yesterday as saying he had gone into hiding but
was planning more violent protests.
“I have gone into hiding, but we are still strategising the
next move . . . He (President Mnangagwa)
must attend to the economic issues and remove bond notes or else the people
will continue to show their unhappiness,” Promise Mkwananzi of #Tajamuka was
quoted as saying.
Last week’s three-day orgy of violence was organised by
MDC-Alliance, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) along with social
groups, Tajamuka and #ThisFlag movement led by Evan Mawarire.
“As the Ministry of Home Affairs, we want to reassure the
public that we will not hesitate to enforce the law today, tomorrow or in the
next 100 years. We want to make sure that every Zimbabwean enjoys the peace and
freedom we have in the country because Zimbabwe belongs to all Zimbabweans,”
Minister Mathema said.
He said Zimbabweans should not be hindered in their daily
activities by malcontents seeking to cause chaos in the country.
“Every Zimbabwean has a right to enjoy the freedom that is
prevailing in the country without any fear, so as Government we want to
reassure Zimbabweans that the security agents will be there to ensure security
of persons and property. They should feel free to carry out their activities,”
Minister Mathema said.
He said Government was working to improve people’s
livelihoods but that its efforts were being hampered by the effects of illegal
sanctions imposed on the country by the West at the instigation of the
MDC-Alliance.
“We have had challenges that are a result of the sanctions
that were called for by the MDC-Alliance and Government is doing its best to
improve the lives of its citizens despite these challenges,” Minister Mathema
said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Zanu-PF extraordinary
provincial coordinating committee meeting held in Mutare yesterday, Minister
Mutsvangwa said the law would take its course in the event of violence.
She warned those behind the unrest that law enforcement
agents would take stern measures and those found on the wrong side of the law
would be punished.
“It is important for people to know what is happening
especially during these trying times,” she said.
“People should know that the disturbances that occurred a
few days ago were not demonstrations but it was people who are pushing for
regime change in the country. The Government and our security forces are on the
ground and people should feel free to go to work and to school as security
forces are providing everyone with safety.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government was aware of the
economic hardships that people were facing and urged everyone to exercise their
rights within the confines of the Constitution.
We want to inform people that those who destroyed property
worth more than $300 million across the country were hooligans. That must not
be allowed in this country and those who were arrested will be heavily
punished,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“Our Constitution allows us to demonstrate peacefully but
that is not what we witnessed. We saw people destroying clinics, houses and
attacking police at their stations. It shows that there was a third force
behind it,” she said.
“Our President created democratic space but it does not
mean we have to take the law into our own hands. What I would like to assure
you is that our security forces are on the ground and we want to see our
children back in school and people going to work. We need production for our
nation to develop and that can only be achieved if people go to work,” she
said.
Rowdy MDC-Alliance supporters went on a rampage last week
following calls for a stayaway, destroying property and looting businesses
across the country. Herald
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