Hurbert Masango
A growing chorus of Zimbabweans is calling on authorities to clamp down on individuals using social media platforms to spread panic and despondency across the nation, following yet another failed attempt to instigate an economically disruptive shutdown.
The calls come after expelled ZANU PF member Blessed Geza's latest attempt to mobilise citizens to stay away from work and business activities fell flat, with normal life continuing uninterrupted across the country.
In interviews conducted across Harare today, frustrated citizens expressed anger at what they described as selfish attempts by political opportunists to destabilise the nation for personal gain.
A cross-section of Zimbabweans from different walks of life shared their views with this publication, all united in their condemnation of the reckless shutdown calls and their architects.
"These people hiding behind their phones don't understand what they're doing to ordinary Zimbabweans. When they spread these false messages about shutdowns, it's people like me who suffer. Customers stay away, goods perish, and at the end of the day my children go hungry. Government must deal harshly with these troublemakers," said Miriam Chikwava, a market trader at Mbare Musika.
The sentiment was echoed by transport operators who went about their business as usual despite the shutdown calls.
Kombi driver Tawanda Marimo dismissed the instigators as "failed politicians looking for relevance."
"Look at this Geza character – he couldn't make it in ZANU PF, and now he wants to be relevant by causing suffering. Real leaders build nations; they don't burn them down. We have families to feed and a country to rebuild. These social media activists should come down from their high horses and join us in productive work," said Marimo while loading passengers at Copacabana rank.
In the central business district, office workers expressed relief that the threatened shutdown had failed to materialise.
"I woke up this morning to messages telling me not to report for work. But here we are – offices are open, banks are operating, and life continues. These people peddling lies on WhatsApp and Twitter must be held accountable. They are playing with people's livelihoods," said a man who preferred to be called Mr Koti.
Security officials confirmed that normal patrols and monitoring continued throughout the country, with no incidents related to the purported shutdown reported.
Political analysts suggest that the failure of such calls reflects growing public maturity and resilience against destabilisation attempts.
"The Zimbabwean public has become increasingly sophisticated in distinguishing genuine concerns from manufactured crises. People are focused on rebuilding their lives and communities, not following the agendas of discredited politicians turned social media activists," noted political commentator Admire Munemo.
As the nation continues with its daily activities unimpeded, the overwhelming message from citizens is clear: those who abuse social media platforms to spread panic and disrupt national life must face the full wrath of the law.
With economic recovery efforts gaining momentum, Zimbabweans appear determined not to let any individual or group derail the nation's progress through baseless alarmism and destructive calls for action.
