by Christine Lethokuhle Mabhena

The country’s security organs have begun a sting operation set to arrest the organisers behind yesterday’s violence that mainly broke out in Harare and Bulawayo, leading to vandalism, arson attacks, looting from various supermarkets, injuries and a loss of life.

A top security official who requested anonymity confided that he is part of national committee that was activated last night to hunt down the organisers of the protests in order to arrest and decisively deal with them.

 “We have been tasked to analyse video footages of unruly elements who participated in yesterday’s looting and violence. We have gathered lots of material that will aid us in our investigations.

“So far we are making progress, and I can assure you that from the gathered videos, we have managed to identify most of those who participated in acts of violence and looting.

“They will certainly face the full wrath of the law,” said the security official.

By last night, over 200 protesters including MDC Alliance members from Bulawayo, Harare and Chegutu have been arrested in connection with the violence.

Police revealed that they are keen to interview MDC Chegutu Youth Assembly member Mathias Rwakonde who led youths who burnt tyres near Ram Petroleum and are also alleged to have burnt Chegutu East MP, Webster Shamu’s Toyota Land Cruiser at his service station in Chegutu at around 1240 hours yesterday.

Another youth linked to MDC Alliance Bulawayo Province, Elisha Ncube was arrested in Old Pumula for leading a group of 15 rowdy youths who were barricading roads around Pumula and instigated protesters to loot from Choppies supermarket in Pumula.

Other protesters in Tshabalala vandalised a house belonging to ZANU PF Bulawayo Women’s League Chairperson, Eva Bitu.

Government has put the blame on the MDC Alliance and its allies in the civic society sectors.

In a statement released last night, Minister of State for National Security Owen Ncube said, “the prevailing security situation in the country is a culmination of a well-orchestrated series of events by the MDC-Alliance working in cahoots with NGOs, civil society, youth organisations, pressure groups and individuals.

Government is aware of the ring leaders, their modus operandi and theirs funders,” said Minister Ncube.