PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed social media narratives of a crisis in Zimbabwe instead declaring that the 2018 election produced a clear winner.
There have been unsuccessful attempts by armchair social media activists to project to the international community that Zimbabwe was in a crisis and needed rescuing.
Speaking at the fourth meeting for Political Actors Dialogue held on Friday morning, President Mnangagwa said some sections of society have been crying foul, protesting against the arrests of some elements whose actions have incited public violence even in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic as well as in violation of guidelines to reduce its spread set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“I wish to unequivocally state that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe as elections were held in July 2018 and a winner was declared in terms of the country’s Constitution. All contestants were invited to join this dialogue in the national interest,” the President said.
The President reiterated the door was still open for those on the outside and government continues to make huge strides towards development all round using limited resources.
President Mnangagwa said the challenges that had befallen the country call for a continued unity of purpose across the political divide.
“Your continued commitment to the call to serve the country is acknowledged and will surely result in the making of a great country,” he said.
An anti-government demonstration was staged for the 31st of July 2020 with critics of the government mobilizing people via microblogging site Twitter but the country ignored the calls and went on their usual activities.
Journalist and political activist Hopewell Chin’ono and protest leader Jacob Ngarivhume were arrested and lair released on bail for organising the protests.
Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were charged with incitement to commit public violence or alternatively incitement to participate in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence by posting messages through their Twitter handles between March 1 and July 20.
In some of the messages Ngarivhume said he met and consulted different stakeholders while mobilising for the demonstration. Ngarivhume also alleged in the messages that he had met with people such as Mr Ian Makone, Dr Shingi Munyeza, Mr Elton Mangoma and Godfrey Tsenengamu as part of mobilising people. – Sunday News
