By Rudo Saungweme

Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi yesterday stated that the intervention of security forces was necessary as it restored peace that had been stolen by hooligans and thugs following vicious protests of 14 to 16 January.

MDC Midlands Senator, Morgen Komichi asked Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi if the rule of law still existed following the deployment of the security to thwart violence.

Ziyambi Ziyambi in his response said, “The historical narration by Komichi is untrue. Doctors went on strike and their complaints were resolved and then thugs started barricading roads and destroying property. It is surprising to note that Komichi is now saying the country is on fire.

“If they did not barricade roads and loot, the country would be operating peacefully and you would have not seen the security hunting on people. We sent police to work 24 hours arresting those people and now there is peace. We do not know what other actions Government should have taken other than the actions we took.”

MDC party, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) and other civic society organisations mobilised people through social media to embark in a national shut down from 14 to 16 January.

Harare Post has learnt that roads were barricaded to stop people from going to work and to do their day to day activities. The hooligans went to the extent of looting people`s shops and burning vehicles which they came across with including three ZUPCO buses.

The security had to intervene to restore order. This saw the arrest of more than 1000 people country wide. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is also on the hunt for 27 people who spearheaded the violent demonstrations. These include Kuwadzana House of Assembly member, Charlton Hwende, MDC National Youth Chairperson Happymore Chidziva, MDC Youth Asssembly Secretary General Lovemore Chinoputsa, expelled Zanu PF member Shadreck Mashayamombe among others.