Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
CIVIC society organisations and churches have urged Zimbabweans to remain peaceful and avoid being manipulated by what they described as shadowy individuals pursuing a nefarious agenda and allegedly funded by the country’s detractors to foment violence, mayhem and chaos.
The organisations appealed to citizens to reject calls for unlawful demonstrations, saying peace, stability and national unity remain essential for the country’s continued socio-economic development. They encouraged Zimbabweans to go about their daily activities and resolve any differences through lawful and peaceful means.
National chairperson of the Churches and Civic Society Joint Forum, Dr Anglistone Sibanda, said previous protest movements had primarily benefited their organisers rather than ordinary citizens.
“You remember the Tajamuka and This Flag movements. People made money and became millionaires overnight, so let us not be used. People must go about their usual business, fend for their families and support Vision 2030,” said Dr Sibanda.
He urged Zimbabweans to support Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3) and contribute towards national development.
“No one will build the country for us. It is our heritage, which our fathers fought for, and therefore we must guard it jealously. We hear people calling for protests, but as civil society we are saying the era of protests and anti-government activism is gone. The Second Republic is driving an inclusive development agenda and we are calling on everyone to participate in the country’s development trajectory,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said some of those calling for the planned demonstrations were not even resident in Zimbabwe and were merely using social media platforms to mobilise people.
Bishop Rocky Moyo, president of the Council of Churches in Africa and the Pan African Religious Leaders Assembly, said churches would not support the planned demonstrations and called on Zimbabweans to continue with their normal activities.
“We want to tell those groups and churches, some of whom we know are behind these calls, that Bulawayo, Harare and indeed the whole country will remain peaceful as usual. There will be no protests at all. As church organisations, we represent large numbers of people and our message is clear: we say no to protests and no to violence,” said Bishop Moyo.
He said churches would continue preaching peace, unity and reconciliation, adding that dialogue and respect for the rule of law remained the best means of resolving differences while safeguarding the country’s hard-won peace and stability.
