Online Reporter
Zimpapers Writers
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has issued a stern warning to individuals planning to participate in today’s unsanctioned protests, declaring that security forces will not hesitate to take decisive action against anyone who attempts to disrupt public order, as Government intensified calls for Zimbabweans to continue with their normal daily activities.
With heightened security deployed across the country, Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, said the country’s security establishment was fully prepared to safeguard peace, protect citizens and ensure that economic and social activities proceeded uninterrupted.
He urged workers to report for duty as usual, while parents and guardians were encouraged to ensure that children attended school.
“The Zimbabwe National Army remains committed to its constitutional mandate of defending the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and ensuring peace and security prevail.
“We, therefore, urge all workers to report for duty and all school-going children to attend school as normal. Let me make it clear that we will not hesitate to take decisive action against anyone who seeks to cause disorder, intimidate innocent citizens or disrupt the normal functioning of the country through illegal activities,” said Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi.
He said Zimbabwe’s peace and stability have been achieved through the collective efforts of citizens and security institutions, urging members of the public to disregard calls intended to destabilise the country.
The military’s warning comes amid calls by anti-government activists for demonstrations today, which authorities have consistently described as illegal and unnecessary.
Government has maintained that citizens should continue with their normal economic and social activities, while President Mnangagwa has repeatedly urged Zimbabweans not to be distracted by what he described as attempts by “merchants of violence” to derail the country’s development agenda.
In Bulawayo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, has appealed to residents, businesses, transport operators and small to medium enterprises to reject calls for an unlawful stay-away, saying the province had earned a reputation as a centre of peace, resilience, industry and enterprise.
She said Bulawayo was hosting the official opening of Mine Entra 2026, an event that had attracted local and international investors, exhibitors and business leaders, making it imperative to preserve the peaceful environment that continues to position the city as an attractive investment destination.
“Peace remains the cornerstone of sustainable development. It’s only within a peaceful and stable environment that businesses can thrive, investors can have confidence, visitors can feel welcome, and communities can pursue meaningful social and economic progress,” she said.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education also dismissed reports that some schools had cancelled extracurricular activities because of security concerns, insisting that all schools should operate normally.
“It will be business as normal,” said ministry spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro.
Calls for the protests have attracted widespread condemnation from civic organisations, churches, residents’ associations, transport operators and retailers, all of whom urged Zimbabweans to reject the demonstrations and continue with their daily activities.
Transport operators have said commuter services would operate normally throughout the country.
Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Corporation spokesperson Mr Ndabazabo Mabunda said the transport sector had benefited from a stable operating environment and would not participate in any shutdown.
“We will be there without interruption in transport services,” he said.
Bulawayo United Public Transport Association (Bupta) board chairperson Mr Morgan Msipha echoed similar sentiments, saying stability had enabled operators to sustain their businesses. Together, Tshova Mubaiwa and BUPTA operate about 1 600 commuter omnibuses transporting an estimated 100 000 passengers daily.
The Bulawayo Residents Association (Bura) also urged dialogue instead of confrontation, warning against a repeat of the destruction experienced during the 2019 disturbances.
Bura chairperson Mr Winos Dube said the city was still recovering from the economic losses suffered during the unrest.
Mr Dube said residents should pursue dialogue and engagement through lawful channels rather than actions capable of destabilising the city and undermining livelihoods.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has said security agencies are fully prepared to deal with any attempts to breach the law, while police have assured the public that adequate security measures have been put in place nationwide.
In Bulawayo, Zanu-PF structures have also been conducting mobilisation campaigns encouraging residents, workers and businesses to reject calls for a shutdown, arguing that such actions undermine economic growth, disrupt livelihoods and negatively affect ordinary Zimbabweans.
