By Taurai Mazwi
…assures peace-loving Zimbabweans their security guaranteed
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has revealed that it has evidence to prove that the MDC demonstrations slated for tomorrow will not be peaceful as the opposition party has been dropping catapults, knobkerries and stones at designated points in the Central Business District in the dead of the night.
In a press statement released today, the ZRP said they had enough evidence to show that the MDC demonstrations would be violent.
“The ZRP informs the nation that based on the notifications given by MDC to regulating authorities to hold demonstrations in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare and surrounding towns on 16, 19, 20, 21 and 22 August 2019, intelligence and concrete evidence on the ground has revealed that indeed these so called ‘peaceful’ demonstrations will turn out to be violent,” read part of the statement.
“It is a fact that police recovered a substantial quantity of granite stones and catapults stashed in sacks and were delivered by two vehicles which had no registration number plates at corner Nelson Mandela and Innez Terrace, Harare during the night on August 13, 2019.
“The vehicles went on to drop sacks containing unknown items to some street kids at corner (of) Robert Mugabe Road and Harare Street, Copacabana commuter rank and disappeared. The sacks were taken away by unidentified street kids who suddenly disappeared into the darkness,” said the Police.
The ZRP has warned that it would be impounding vehicles without registration numbers or not displaying requisite plates throughout the country as some of the vehicles are being used in criminal acts.
The statement went on to say that over 120 MDC activists toyi-toyed at a shopping centre in Chitungwiza during the night chanting party slogans and mobilising residents in St Mary’s and Chigovanyika Shopping Centre environs to participate in the violent demonstrations.
They said the confrontational acts by the MDC activists coincided with the assault of innocent members of the public after an accident in St Mary’s involving one of their senior officials at the weekend.
The statement goes on to say that despite assurances of a peaceful demonstration, the police would be on the lookout.
“The ZRP is fully monitoring the situation and will thus not be distracted by insinuations that the demonstrations will be ‘peaceful,’ yet on the ground, the situation brazenly shows violent mobilization of the so called protestors.
“Police reiterates that security (agents) will not fold hands and allow violence, destruction of property, intimidation, threats and clandestine night acts of violent agitation to take centre stage.
“The ZRP is disturbed that these purported demonstrations by MDC and partners have shown open violent acts which are physically manifesting on the ground,” reads the statement.
The ZRP goes on to urge members of the public to remain peaceful and continue to conduct their normal day to day activities. They also assured citizens that it is ready to provide security and maintain law and order throughout the country without fear or favour.
