Anesu Pedzisayi
Zimbabwe has largely been known as a peaceful country, where citizens uphold and respect the laws of the land. This has been continuously reiterated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who takes every opportunity to preach peace and unity for the country to grow. President Mnangagwa has always said unity, peace and love are key to national development.
Recently, there have been continued attacks on the country’s police force by members, supporters and pro-MDC activists, as they defy standing orders to be peaceful and orderly. The MDC has over time, proven to be a terrorist organisation in the making, bent on causing chaos and violence, with the intention of destabilising the country and causing civil unrest.
These actions have proven to be well calculated, ahead of the country’s major events and this time around the target being the anti-sanctions march slated for 25 October 2019, when the MDC knows that all world eyes would be on Zimbabwe. The MDC had planned to hold a demonstration on the 24th of October 2019, in trying to cause confusion and prematurely taint the anti-sanctions march. Previous demonstrations under the MDC have all turned out to be violent and fatal, with the Police becoming cautious in sanctioning any of the party’s demonstrations.
What the MDC has been doing over time, is to victimise and terrorise ordinary citizens in Harare Central Business District, by claiming specific and certain areas as no go areas, except for well-known MDC people. This has included areas around Harvest House, between Kwame Nkrumah and Angwa Street, where even City Park Officials are chased away from collecting parking fees. A few days ago, one Policewoman was attacked and seriously injured, for no apparent reason except that she dared to pass through the ‘forbidden’ area.
Well known MDC activists, Denford Ngadziore and Makomborero Haruzivishe, were recently at the Harare Magistrate’s Courts, where altercations with the Police ensued, as they were illegally demonstrating before the Courts, disrupting the business of the day. It has become a tradition that MDC activists infiltrate and hijack specific activities with the aim to be in open confrontation with the police.
It is the duty of the police to maintain peace and order, as stated in the Police Act Chapter 11:10 provision and the Constitution that; “the Police force, together with such other bodies as may be established by law for the purpose, shall have the function of preserving the internal security of and maintaining law and order in Zimbabwe.” By all means necessary, the MDC has been on a drive to provoke the Police, knowing the police would act on its mandate to maintain order, and then go on to play victim that their rights are being violated.
The MDC has come out saying they would be defying their demonstration ban for the 24th of October, with MDC Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, arguing that they had a right to demonstrate. However, as much as it their Constitutional right to demonstrate, the MDC needs Police approval for its members’ security and protection.
The MDC should however be reminded that they are not above the law and should not expect to be granted special treatment simply because they an opposition party who are in cahoots with the Americans to destabilise the country. They are also bound by the Constitution to be orderly and peaceful, so that Zimbabwe enjoys peace and tranquillity.
The opposition should also take a cue from the West, including America, whom they idolise as democratic societies that uphold the law. America’s President, Donald Trump, addressing at the 37th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in 2018, suggested that there should be a death penalty for criminal elements that kill Police officers. In his own words, Trump said, “if we want to bring down violent crime, then we must stand up for our police. We must confront and condemn dangerous anti-police prejudice. Can you believe this prejudice with respect to our police? We are not going to let bad things happen to our police. We believe criminals who kill our police should get the death penalty.”
Government should also take a stand against criminal elements in the habit of provoking and attacking members of the police and or security forces at large. These are the men and women, who daily, make effort to maintain peace and order in the country and should be given due respect. Stiffer penalties should be awarded to undisciplined individuals who attack law enforcement officers, as they weaken citizens’ trust in institutions that should protect them.
Lawlessness and anarchy should not be tolerated as they divide the nation, causing despondency amongst citizens. More so, a lawless country leaves no room for growth and development, but rather nurtures infiltration from illegal regime change elements. Zimbabweans should continue being guided by President Mnangagwa, who often preaches on the importance of peace and unity amongst citizens for development to take place.
