Net closing in on malcontents

Minister Christopher Mushohwe
GOVERNMENT wishes to commend fellow Zimbabweans for showing political maturity and tolerance in the face of extreme provocation by few elements bent on undermining and disturbing the peace and tranquillity which we enjoy in our country.

There have been persistent efforts by those misguided malcontents in the past few days to mislead people into taking to the streets and perpetrating malicious destruction of property as well as challenging figures of authority, law and order in our society.

The isolated disturbances in Beitbridge and a few suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo must be condemned unreservedly and in the strongest of terms.

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There is absolutely no justification for anyone to resort to violence to resolve challenges which are being addressed by Government. The authors of this lawlessness must reconsider their behaviour and appreciate the full consequences of their actions as Government will not tolerate any breakdown in law and order.

Perpetrators of violence and those bent on disturbing our peace will be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law.

The net is closing on those ghosts who have been behind inflammatory messages on the social media. Government will never countenance a situation where instruments and platforms of communication are misused to cause mayhem and lawlessness in our society.

Let them be warned. In the meantime, Government encourages all law abiding Zimbabweans to ignore all such destructive messages. Zimbabweans must be warned that the social media has become an instrument for destroying peaceful and stable nations as amply exemplified on our continent and elsewhere.

Government encourages operators in the communication industry not to allow their platforms and businesses to be used for unethical and subversive activities.

Should such abuse persist Government will be left with no alternative but to take sterner, corrective actions.

• Dr C.C. Mushohwe is Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services. This is the Press Statement he issued following some disturbances witnessed in the country recently, 7th July, 2016.