President Mnangagwa has reaffirmed his commitment to peace
and dialogue, and maintaining an open-door policy to resolve challenges facing
the country. Addressing diplomats in Harare at a belated New Year’s reception
yesterday, the President said while everyone had a right to protest, it had to
be done in a peaceful manner that respected the rights of other citizens.
“Let me reiterate that in the new Zimbabwe, everyone has
the right to protest peacefully,” he said.
“Everyone has the right to voice their opinions peacefully.
And everyone has a right to criticise me and my Government peacefully.”
President Mnangagwa said his administration valued peace
and democracy, adding that violence had no place in “our midst”. “We believe
that human life is sacrosanct,” he said.
“Violence is a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe. It must be
criticised by all parties. It is time to make things right.”
President Mnangagwa told the diplomats that the
implementation of the recommendations of the “Motlanthe Commission Report” into
the August 1 post-election violence was progressing well.
He condemned the violence that rocked the country last
month disguised as mass protests.
He said foreign hands were visible in the scheme to
destabilise the country. “The demonstrations were therefore neither civil nor
peaceful and were bent on effecting a regime change,” he said. “There were
violent riots. Politically-motivated, premeditated, well organised and
co-ordinated.”
President Mnangagwa said the mayhem necessitated the
intervention of security forces and law enforcement agents to bring sanity in
the country while also protecting the people and their businesses.
“Following the vandalism, violence and associated looting,
the security forces had to step in,” he said.
“What followed is still being investigated. We will not
condone any illegal, criminal acts or civil delinquency no matter who the
perpetrators are.”
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces made it clear that the military and police were
there to serve the people, protect them, uphold and enforce the law of the
land. But warned against rogue elements abusing their responsibilities.
“Any evidence of rogue police officers or soldiers taking
the law into their own hands will be dealt with and they will face the full
force of the law,” he said.
The President last week held a meeting with former
presidential aspirants in the 2018 presidential elections to dialogue aimed at
narrowing political differences and find common ground and political path for
the country.
He said all the presidential candidates imbued with
maturity and sense of leadership accepted his invitation and joined him for the
crucial meeting.
“I call those who refuse to take part in the national
dialogue to stop grandstanding and playing games with the lives of the people
of Zimbabwe,” he said.
President Mnangagwa challenged the international community
to give Zimbabwe a chance and rally behind the country in its quest to chat a
new trajectory.
“Stand with us as we toil to chart a new course for our
nation, for the people of Zimbabwe,” he said. “We are open and transparent. We
have nothing to hide.”
The President also apprised the diplomats that Government
had opened up the media and the democratic political space and would remain a
listening President.
“My arms are out stretched and my door is open. We hear
your criticisms and when it is fair, the insights are noted or implemented,”
said the President reaffirming his commitment to restructuring, reforming and
rebuilding the entire system and the nation. Chronicle
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