by Gift Mashoko

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ (ZCTU) much hyped demonstration against the 2% tax introduced by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube.

ZCTU is trying by all means necessary to divide the nation at the expense of the economy and their dislike of the new dispensation. Little do they know that this country is united and behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the new dispensation.

ZCTU had been advertising the demonstration on social media telling people to shut down the city and halting all businesses. They were also encouraging the use of violence.

“I encourage you to stay home or else you will be caught in crossfire for nothing. Stay indoors, we are going to shut down Zimbabwe. Even if they use weapons, we really do not care,” read part of the message.

Though some people did not know about the planned demonstration and shut down, others said they would not heed the ZCTU’s call, saying they were not behind such actions which do not develop the nation. They said the New Dispensation is working hard for this nation, trying to revive our economy.

Some residents said the MDC party was now hiding behind ZCTU and that it is because of the spirit of violence that is in the MDC party that they lost the presidency.

One businessman in Harare’s central business district (CBD) said closing shop would be a loss to him.

“I do not have to close my shop because a person without focus or vision in life. I will not be used as a guinea pig. If these ZCTU guys had brains, they would look for business opportunities rather than divide the nation like this. I will not,” he said.

The ZCTU request for a protest was denied by police following the emergency of cholera in the city. As a result, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing put a ban on public gatherings to control the cholera outbreak.