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Zimbabweans have been warned against abusing social media platforms to foment anarchy and mayhem in the country. The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe, in a statement published yesterday, said there were malcontents circulating messages on social media seeking to incite people to take to the streets with the real possibility of causing harm to both humans and property.
He warned operators in the communication industry not to allow their media platforms and businesses to be used for unethical and subversive activities.
Before the usual hypocritical Western embassies make their nauseating noise about democracy and human rights, the issue of abuse of social media has become a matter of global concern and is fast eroding the whole notion of personal privacy in most Western cities where citizens are constantly under surveillance because of the threat of terrorist attacks.
Zimbabwe is working hard to entrench a democratic culture among its citizens.
People are allowed to inform the police in time if they want to demonstrate.
The opposition MDC-T has held a number of such protests in recent weeks without interference. This happens even in Europe and America.
There is, however, a huge difference between conducting a peaceful open demonstration on the one hand and plotting Nicodemusly how to unseat an elected Government on the other. That cannot be allowed anywhere under misguided notions of democracy and freedom of expression.
The rule of law means we all have to play according to the book.
Dr Mushohwe’s warning follows indications that there are groups or individuals sending seditious communication about marches or demonstrations to force President Mugabe out of power.
If such individuals and groups have clean minds and a noble agenda why do they want to operate in the dark? Surely if their demands are legal and constitutional they should approach Parliament with their petition.
Why do they want to instigate others to demonstrate through intimidation and under cover of anonymity?
Quite rightly, Dr Mushohwe’s warning to the malcontents and those who abet their dastardly plots was issued in the interests of national security.
To start with, there is no law that permits violence against Government or individuals or property.
We all need the protection of the law from gangsters who operate in the dark.
That is why law enforcement agencies are out in full force.
Secondly, operators in the communication industry have regulations setting guidelines and parameters within which they must conduct their business.
They cannot therefore legitimately allow their platforms to be used to undermine the State without the risk of losing their operating licences.
It can be safely concluded that those who are prepared to take such a risk are working in cahoots and collaborating with the plotters.
They should not cry foul when the law takes it course, and they will have more to reveal about the plotters they are working with. Let them not claim not to have been warned well in advance.
Meanwhile, youth should guard against being misled by forces whose agendas they are not sure of.
A lot of propaganda is being peddled about a deficiency of democracy in Zimbabwe when it is public knowledge that at the heart of these plots is opposition to policies which seek to empower the black majority.
The youth are being told that with their degrees, they are too educated or too clean to engage in dirty work like farming. Instead, they are being told they deserve to put on a suit and tie and sit in an air-conditioned office.
The truth is that formal jobs are becoming scarce the world over because of a deepening global recession and automation. Only those with skills have a greater chance of landing a job or starting their own enterprise.
This is what our youth should know.
They should invest their time in acquiring practical skills that entrepreneurs need instead of being used to advance the agendas of a few failed politicians.
After the heady excitement of the mob, you still to face the daily realities by yourself.
Online Reporter