‘Opposition working with foreign elements’

Joseph Madzimure

Senior Reporter

ZANU PF is aware of extraterritorial activities by some opposition figures who are working in cahoots with external forces to instigate civil strife during the SADC Summit, the ruling party Secretary General Cde Obert Mpofu has said.

Speaking at a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Cde Mpofu said visitors and party members should not to be worried by such machinations as the police are on high alert.

“We are aware of the Western machinations; they also know that Zimbabwe is a country which is well informed in terms of security. We know what is happening in the region and in our neighbours. There is currently some misguided mobilisation that is being conducted by some renegade elements in our neighbouring countries. This is being done by Zimbabweans who want to rope in our neighbours into their nefarious activities,” said Cde Mpofu.

The call comes at a time when some Western aligned organisations have been clandestinely channelling thousands of dollars towards opposition elements to spearhead anti-Government demonstrations in a desperate bid to undermine the SADC Summit, that Zimbabwe is hosting this month.

“We are aware and are kept updated on whatever they are doing. They are trying to use all sorts of strategies trying to use our neighbours to come and create havoc in Zimbabwe. They should be warned that we are not a country that is asleep, we are awake, we know what is happening. We know the culprits; the opposition are seeking assistance from some Zimbabweans based in neighbouring countries. They are approaching some organisations, some political parties for assistance to come and cause havoc in Zimbabwe,” Cde Mpofu said.

He added that those who want to cause mayhem in the country should never forget that Zanu PF is a liberation movement and it cannot be distracted by renegades.

“We had them during the war and we still have them now . . . we are ready to deal with them,” said Cde Mpofu.

He said the successful hosting of the SADC Industrialisation Week is testimony of Zimbabwe’s capacity to host the region, and its organisational capacity against all forms of negative propaganda.

“It means that we are a functioning ruling party, functioning Government. Now the world is focusing on Zimbabwe because of what we are, what we have and our principles of service in terms of development. We are supposed to have collapsed, according to our detractors, six months after the imposition of sanctions on us.

“We are now over 20 years under sanctions yet we are one of the fastest growing economies in the region. If you look at our economic growth, we are one of the best in the region,” said Cde Mpofu.

Turning to his visit to China where he attended the 7th China-Africa People’s Forum and Young Leaders Forum, Cde Mpofu said his visit underscored the deepening strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and China.

“It highlights our commitment to strengthening historical, economic and political ties with a shared future,” he said.