Chronicle Editor
ZIMBABWEANS must heed President Mnangagwa’s calls to remain united against the machinations of detractors in order to thwart their devious ploy to destabilise the country.
Speaking at State House in Bulawayo yesterday as he launched the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme, President Mnangagwa said history, “records that all internal divisions among us as a people have been instigated by our detractors in various guises through generations.”
The President’s sentiments follow flopped attempts by some elements to cause a scene through a demonstration at the 26th Sadc Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation in Lusaka, Zambia last week.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was leading the Zimbabwean delegation during the two-day meeting, said the purported demonstration was a non-event.
She also cleared the air on the threat that had been posed by some elements to disrupt the meeting and protest against the Zimbabwean delegation.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the meeting went on well and the Zimbabwean delegation’s security was well catered for.
Tracing the country’s history, President Mnangagwa said detractors worked tirelessly to pit one tribe against the other during the colonial era.
“These oppressors sought to sow seeds of division among liberation struggle fighters and within communities. Their interference and machinations were designed to divide us and consequently created our post-independence conflicts.
“We are aware that the same forces have not abandoned their ultimate goal of thwarting the realisation of our determination to remain as united Zimbabweans,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Our unity must stand as an immovable barrier to prevent their historic goal of subjugating us in numerous ways including in the economic sphere.”
President Mnangagwa said the interference by the country’s detractors manifests in different ways.
“They manifest as political parties with a regional agenda which seeks to divide our people and to question the unitary nature of our State. We see them!
“They manifest as voluntary organisations ostensibly concerned with the people’s plight yet they exaggerate and magnify regional grievances whilst at the same time seeking to belittle our efforts at reconciliation and unity at the behest of their founders. We see them!
“They are present in all forms of the media including social media, propagating statements of hatred, difference and vengeance against specific groupings of our nation. We see them! Let us all say to them you shall not succeed.”
Online Reporter