Zimbabweans ignored calls by self-appointed activists and
opposition leaders for illegal demonstrations yesterday, with police managing
to find just seven placard wavers to arrest across the entire country, as
business life continued near normal in suburbs although curtailed in city
centres and industrial areas.
Four of the arrests were in Chegutu, two in Harare and one
in Bulawayo, with those arrested carrying placards inscribed with political
messages the police allege were meant to cause public disorder.
The police confirmed there were no reports of violence.
The demonstrations had been called by self-styled activists
and endorsed by some political parties with the overt aim of demonstrating
against corruption and the covert aim of effecting change of Government. Social
media platforms had been awash with calls to join, and there is growing
evidence of significant support, including financial support, for those who
said they would organise and lead protests.
Security forces had patrols out and the roadblocks near
city and town centres were continuing with the rigid enforcement of lockdown
regulations seen in recent days as the Zimbabwean Covid-19 case-load sped to 3
169 last night with 2 109 being local cases and 67 deaths.
The growing rate of infection was a primary reason why
Government and health authorities were not prepared to authorise any
gatherings.
Most shops in city and town centres, and many factories in
industrial sites, remained closed, partly because owners and managers were
averse to risk and partly because public transport was unavailable. However,
suburban supermarkets and many other suburban businesses remained open as
normal, with even sections of the informal sector, including illegal money
changers, busy.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant
Commissioner Paul Nyathi said security services would remain firm on the ground
to decisively deal with any unruly elements to preserve peace.
He identified those arrested as Tsitsi Dangarembwa and a
male companion in Borrowdale, Harare, and Mzingaye Mathew Thaka in Bulawayo.
Chegutu saw the highest number of arrests, four: Edward Dzeka, MDC Alliance
councillor for Ward 9, and Lloyd Kashiri (41), Nkulumani Matobo (35) and
Isheanesu Chimunyemba (26).
“The ZRP wishes to advise the public that the security
situation in the country is calm and peaceful. The public should continue with
normal day to day activities with the full knowledge that their safety and
security is guaranteed.
“The ZRP applauds Zimbabweans for the peaceful environment,
which characterised all parts of the country. No reports of violence were
received by the police and security services, as they continued to conduct
patrols, roadblocks and checkpoints to ensure safety, security and health of
Zimbabweans.”
In Harare’s city centre only essential services and
businesses were open, with the rest of those exempted deciding to close for the
day.
Police at checkpoints on the edge of the city centre were
carrying out the intensified checks seen in the past few days, but with fewer
people trying to drive into the city centre the queues at the vetting points
were shorter. Several hundred motorists were turned back for being unable to
show they were in an exempted group.
But it was business as usual in most of the suburbs in
Harare with residents going about their normal day to day activities and many,
with a day off work, taking the opportunity to do some shopping with longer
queues seen outside supermarkets.
One resident of Kuwadzana who spoke to this publication on
condition of anonymity said there was no time for demonstrations; rather people
should work hard to make this country prosper. He said there were always
productive channels to address grievances, which did not result in destruction
of property and at times loss of lives.
“Zimbabweans have shown that they are now mature
politically. Imagine wasting time marching in the streets instead of just
sitting down with authorities and table our grievances. I think peace-loving
citizens would opt for the dialogue route than a violent way of expressing
themselves.
“Previous demonstrations have resulted in the destruction
of property and loss of lives. Who would want to lose his or her life when
there are better and peaceful ways of expressing ourselves. I commend the
people of Zimbabwe for disregarding calls for an illegal demonstration.”
Tapiwa Chigumba, a welder in Dzivarasekwa, said there was no
way he could have put participating in demonstrations over his work.
“As you can see, I am busy here with my colleagues making
steel gates and window frames for our clients. We will never participate in
such demonstrations because we have better and productive things to do.
“We are here to earn a living and feed our families. What
are we to gain from marching in the streets? Those hours, which we would have
wasted will never come back. Only those who do not know how to use time are the
ones who do misguided demonstrations,” he said.
At White House shopping centre in White Clife suburb, shops
were open and the situation was calm. Fish mongers and other vendors could be
seen doing their business, as usual.
While the situation generally remained calm all over
Chitungwiza with citizens going about their daily activities, there was a
reported incident at Unit C intersection, where some rogue youths set fire to
tyres shortly before 5am yesterday, but by the time the curfew ended they had
gone.
In St Mary’s, security forces dispersed people milling
around Chigovanyika Shopping Centre but then allowed smaller groups to go
shopping. In Seke, people were also going about their business with shops
including Ziyaduma open for business as usual.
Zupco buses and commuter omnibuses were plying their usual
routes as usual, although there were few people travelling.
At Chigovanyika Shopping Centre, Huruyadzo, Zengeza 2 and 4
business centres it was business as usual with supermarkets open. Vendors were
selling their products while the illegal money changers could be seen milling
around at their usual hotspots and in some instances running away each time
they saw security officers’ vehicles on patrol.
In Bindura, Mashonaland Central, there were few people
(mostly essential service providers) in the town centre and most shops there
were closed.
In Mashonaland West people were going about their usual
businesses, as peace prevailed in all seven districts. It was also business as
usual in Manicaland. Supermarkets and pharmacies were open. However, most
people chose to stay at home.
In Kariba, people also went about their business amid heavy
security personnel presence.
People continued with their work while others did their end
of month shopping, which resulted in long queues in supermarkets in the town.
People interviewed said the economic situation in the
country required that energy be expended on productive things.
Nyamhunga suburb, which is the defacto Kariba Town was a
hive of activity as people rushed to beat the curfew deadline but observing
health regulations.
Peace prevailed in Mutare yesterday with no incidence of
violence or skirmishes throughout the day.
Police and military personnel maintained heavy presence in
all suburbs, as well as in the city centre. At roadblocks leading into the city
centre, security forces were strict in allowing only those motorists and Zupco
passengers with exemption letters to pass.
Human and vehicular traffic was very low in the city centre
throughout the day with only a few supermarkets and food courts open for
business. Most small shops and banks did not open. However, those that opened
their shops carried out their business normally.
Matabeleland South ignored calls for protests. It was
business as usual and no incidents were reported.
In Gwanda, the provincial capital there were security
patrols but few people went into the town centre where most shops were open.
The situation was the same in Plumtreee and Beitridge
towns, where activity at the ports was running smoothly.
The borders remain open only for commercial cargo,
repatriations of citizens and remains of citizens of Botswana, South Africa and
Zimbabwe for burial in their respective countries.
Matabelelaland South is home to four ports of entries with
Botswana (Mlambaphele, Mpoengs, Maitangwe and Plumtreee) and Beitbridge which
is the link to South Africa. Herald
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