Zimbabweans across the political divide have condemned
violent demonstrations staged by suspected MDC-Alliance members in Chitungwiza
on Saturday and described them as retrogressive.
The demonstrations rocked St Mary’s and left vendors’
stalls, wares and a ZUPCO bus, among other properties damaged.
Business came to a standstill at Chigovanyika Shopping
Centre as demonstrators, who were burning tyres, clashed with the police.
Police had to fire teargas to disperse demonstrators who
had blocked roads. At least 11 MDC-Alliance youths have since been arrested in
connection with the violence.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi said the youths involved were mobilised by some senior opposition party
officials.
He warned members of the public against acts of violence,
intimidation or harassment of innocent individuals, groups and businesspersons.
Political analyst and prominent lawyer, Mr Obert Gutu,
condemned the violence, urging Zimbabweans to shun lawlessness.
“As Zimbabweans, we must love each other regardless of
political affiliation,” he said.
“Take America, for example, if it faces any kind of
challenge, the citizens put aside their political differences and unite for a
common purpose. Why can’t we do the same?
“I am always saying every Zimbabwean has a constitutional
right to demonstrate peacefully. However, people should know that the emphasis
is on the peacefulness of the demonstration and also that those rights are not
absolute.
“The moment those youths started damaging property,
including the ZUPCO bus, which I saw on social media, the demonstration ceased
to be peaceful.”
Secretary-general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War
Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Cde Victor Matemadanda strongly condemned the
violent demonstrations and called on all citizens to love each other.
“There is no normal person who can support any form of violence.
It destroys, hinders and disrupts production, which is key to development.
“I am surprised that these people allegedly from opposition
parties are saying they want people’s lives to be better, yet they are
disrupting business. Some people are busy doing their businesses, but someone
is busy destroying that.
“Government is working towards improving the transport
situation across the country, but some people are destroying the same buses,
which should ease transport challenges.”
Business at Chigovanyika Shopping Centre has since returned
to normal.
Vendors have also condemned the acts of violence, saying
such tendencies, if not stopped, would cripple the economy.
“This should not be allowed to continue, we are going
nowhere as a nation and Government should not tolerate this anymore,” said a
vendor who preferred anonymity.
“We abandoned our stalls and tables to save our lives
simply because there are other people who hate peace. I am not into politics,
but to be honest, I voted for an opposition party thinking it was the best.
“I am regretting my
vote because these people are violent and are clueless on what should be done
after losing elections. I had to run for dear life when all this was
unfolding.”
Another vendor selling second-hand clothes narrated how it
all happened. “I saw a group of youths marching with placards from the eastern
direction of this shopping centre,” he said.
“What surprised me was that there were some very young
people in front, marching. That was the most terrible sight.
“I imagined my 10-year-old son being used like that in
things that he does not even understand.
“The group was dispersed when the police arrived.
Government should not allow this to continue. Our children cannot be used by
these politicians. As a parent, I strongly condemn it and have a strong dislike
of any kind of violence.” Herald
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