adminIt was on a Saturday like this, a couple of moons back that one of our columnists here questioned the “success” of the so-called national shutdown that had echoes ringing at the time the writer sat down for that piece. The country had experienced a civil servants strike following the failure by our burdened Government to pay its staff on time.At the same time there were emerging voices linked to the opposition that actively supported the strike action by civil servants and sent messages on social media, mainly the WhatsApp Messenger platform.
The messages were largely of a sinister kind as they threatened people who would have reported for duty – or wished to do so – with violence.
Already there had been skirmishes in the eastern suburbs of Harare such as Ruwa, Mabvuku, Tafara and Epworth were rioting by kombi crews was characterised by a lot of violence, looting and tyre burning.
Private cars and individuals were caught in the melee.
On the day of the so-called shutdown, shadowy elements sent threatening messages promising fire and brimstone.
Hence, on the said day, a good number of people stayed at home for the safety and security of their persons and their cars.
They wouldn’t want to be beaten up by thugs waylaying them.
Or, much worse, get incinerated in kombis or buses or cars.
Shop and business owners did not want their premises destroyed or looted.
There was thus an uneasy quietness in town as business and movement were depressed.
To those behind the so-called shutdown, including one Evan Mawarire who has now taken all the credit along with the shadowy “Tajamuka” outfit, conveniently ignoring the civil servants factor as the single most visible show of displeasure, the day was a tremendous success.
But our columnist, Nathaniel Manheru, was not impressed.
He wrote: “Business in parts of Harare and Bulawayo closed out of ‘whatsfear’, not out of deference to opposition politics. And this must be the last time we should ever allow so many to succumb to written terror by so few cowards. Never again.”
In the preceding paragraphs he had said: “Here is my challenge. Today, 9th July, I wait to see millions marching at the behest of these carping political claimants, marching to take over State House as threatened. Let them show me their power — street or lockdown. Let them jamuka as they claim to be, those pitiable political looneys.
‘’They have no cause; they have no following; they are totally lily-livered, downright cowards who cannot brave their fencing, quixotic shadows. What they can do, and did do in the run-up to Wednesday, is to abuse information platforms to communicate a false fear. And like they say, capital is a coward. Even a hiss from a worm sends it into flight.”
Terror in action
Of course, Manheru was to be taken on his dare – and this happened a few days ago.
On August 24, the MDC-T youth assembly launched what they called #MyZimbabwe campaign which we fully understand is a campaign of violence which the organisers dream will make Zimbabwe ungovernable.
They have even given a date – that by next year the President would have stepped down due to the violence and anarchy in Zimbabwe.
And true to form the day was characterised by skirmishes between police and protestors who set a tone of violence and they did all kind of violence and carnage in the CBD of Harare.
It is the day when cars belonging to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation were burnt to shells.
A police post was also torched.
That was a harbinger of yet another violent confrontation barely 48 hours later.
The MDC-T and Zimbabwe People First Party along with other political pretenders were to demonstrate under the banner of the so-called National Electoral Reform Agenda.
This, only two Fridays ago, turned into chaotic scenes and real terror which we all saw walking on two legs.
Opposition hoodlums fought police, burnt tyres, stoned buildings, looted shops and even torched a flea market at a sprawling market commonly referred to as Copacabana.
Confronting #Whatsfear
But those behind the spate of terror, cheered on by WhatsApp terrorist warriors and other cyber criminals as well as a cheerleading opposition media, were not done yet.
They promised more – this time just three days ago.
It was billed to be another shutdown – and the Daily News, as usual, led the cheerleading telling us about how Zimbabwe was on tenterhooks as it faced a debilitating shutdown, etc, etc
You know how the boys at Daily News do it, in their limited, laughably limited vocabulary.
In the run-up to the day, the same modus operandi was employed: strike fear in the hearts of citizenry.
So WhatsApp messages were circulating warning people not to go to work or risk life and limb, etc.
They were told they could be caught in the crossfire for being on the side of the enemy.
But luck ran out for the vigilantes.
Somehow, on Wednesday the people of Zimbabwe and Harare in particular decided to ignore these messages and threats and it was as business as usual.
It was such a brave move.
Zimbabweans had overcome fear and the terrorist messages that were issuing from the opposition, that is the message and agency of the message as well as the threats per se.
It was instructive.
But there is one particular incident that really showed the spirit and mood of the people.
In one of the western suburbs, it must have been Glen Norah, hoodlums blockaded the road and started stoning vehicles – all too typical.
However, they got more than they bargained for.
Outraged citizens gave chase and apprehended two men who were handed over to the authorities.
People have had enough of a few thugs who cause mayhem -especially for the cause of a failed political party that seeks to subvert the constitutional order.
People are likely to embark on this route going forward.
Most businesses in town are run by informal local owners, including vendors who are trying to eke a living under hard conditions that were birthed by sanctions called for by the MDC.
Now, they cannot stand these hoodlums disrupting their businesses and destroying and looting merchandise.
They are looking at the beast – which is a small beast anyway – right in the eye.
Pretty soon we will be talking about police not having to be deployed into action.
The people will do it for them.
Online Reporter