by Innocent Mujeri
The Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (ZICOSU) has denounced the #31July2020 planned protests describing them as a violent and devilish plot to subvert the will of the people who emphatically voted for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2018 harmonized elections.
In a statement, ZICOSU Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Blessed Mlenga said the planned protests were not ideal as the country was under siege from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has since affected over 2 800 people and claimed 40 lives.
“These protests are being planned when the country is facing the novel COVID-19 pandemic, where more than 2 000 people have been infected with more than 30 deaths being recorded. Fortunately, government has introduced measures that include limiting movements and public gatherings to curb its spread, which the opposition intends to violate, come the 31st of July. Amid these planned protests, ZICOSU strongly condemns these efforts to subvert the will of the people and joins the peace loving Zimbabweans in defending the prevailing peace in our sovereign nation,” said Mhlenga.
Mhlenga further said protests were not good for the country as they derailed progress and cause damage to property.
“These protests have done nothing good for the nation except derailing our progression and the litany of violence involving these opposition forces as witnessed before, has often resulted in the needless loss of life, damage to property, as was the case in 2018 soon after the harmonized elections and again early last year in 2019, when the opposition forces went on a verge of violence and destruction,” added Mlenga.
The ZICOSU leader insinuated that the planned protests, which will obviously turn violent because of the calibre of the participants, were coming at a time President Mnangagwa was working tirelessly to improve the economy of the country by spearheading various developmental programmes.
Mhlenga urged other students to shun the protests as they were being spearheaded by selfish people who were pushing a divisive political agenda.
“These violent protests pose a threat to our national vision as they expose our academic institutions to destruction and also affect learning activities. Education is every citizen's birth right, which should be respected always and with great caution considering that the academic sector is a key driver to sustainable development. In natural sense, it is unethical and irrational for peace loving and progressive students or youths to join these saboteurs in derailing the country's progress and development discourse by participating in violent protests.
“As ZICOSU Masvingo Province, we strongly advise fellow students not to be used by these perpetrators of violence on 31 July 2020 to push for their personal agendas. Students should remain focused and maintain the enthusiasm to push for the attainment of Vision 2030,” said Mhlenga.
Mhlenga also said the planned demonstrations were being sponsored by evil forces who want to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.
“As Zimbabweans, we should always be reminded that the same forces financing these demos have an agenda to effect regime change through these initiatives. As a nation, we should unite to denounce their involvement in our affairs and call for the removal of economic sanctions that have hit our nation hard resulting in economic hardships,” added Mhlenga.
Meanwhile, the business fraternity has also denounced the planned demonstrations fearing that hooligans might loot businesses under the guise of demonstrations.
In a joint statement, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Denford Mutashu and the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) president Tafadzwa Musarara said they were concerned that if the demonstrations were allowed to proceed, the business community would suffer irreparable harm.
Mutashu and Musarara said previous demonstrations saw the burning of shops and looting and they were afraid that the same might happen again.
The opposition are planning to stage demonstrations this Friday. However, the majority of Zimbabweans have condemned the demonstrations describing them as a desperate attempt by the country’s foes to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.
