As the clock ticks towards the much publicized Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) ‘peaceful’ demonstrations that will be done across the country starting tomorrow in the capital, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) asserts that they have recovered substantial quantities of granite stones and catapults intended to be used during the demonstration.
The demonstrations slated for Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare on 16, 19, 20, 21 and 22 August respectively, are a protest over the deteriorating standard of living due to an ailing economy and mismanagement of resources.
In a statement released by the ZRP, there is concrete evidence that the “peaceful” demonstrations will turn out violent after the confiscation of granite stones and catapults.
“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 in Harare during the night on 13 August 2019.
“The vehicles went on to drop sacks containing unknown items to some street kids at corner Robert Mugabe/Harare Street, Copacabana commuter rank and disappeared,” said the ZRP.
However, the police have promised to contain the situation.
“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 has openly indicated a violent mobilization of the so-called protesters.”
The statement from ZRP also noted incidents of violence that have happened in Chitungwiza where it is said a number of MDC Alliance activist toyi-toyed at the shopping centre chanting party slogans. The youths are said to have mobilized residents in St Mary’s and Chigovanyika to participate in the demonstration set for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, there has been a wave of abductions in recent days of people purported to be linked to the demonstrations.
