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Harare Bureau
A planned demonstration against the introduction of bond notes was a huge flop yesterday as people ignored it and went about their business.

A snap survey by our Harare Bureau in the central business district revealed that police had been heavily deployed to thwart any disturbances and business was as usual in and around the city.

The organisers of the demo — dubbed Munhu Wese MuRoad (Everyone to the Streets) were the National Vendors’ Union of Zimbabwe leader Sten Zvorwadza, Patson Dzamara and Silvanos Mudzvova of Tajamuka who did not even show up to the open space where they had “mobilised” people to attend.

The situation remained calm and there were no reports of violence or any disturbances.

All the shops, food outlets, banks and companies were operating as usual, while commuter omnibus crews were also operating on their normal routes, ferrying passengers to work and their respective destinations.

Informal traders at Glen View Home Industries, Siya So and others were operating normally.

On Thursday, the organisers issued statements that they were ready to confront the police during the demonstrations.

They were, however, anticipating that most people would join in the demonstration but they did not show up.

A meeting had been scheduled at an open space near the Harare Magistrates’ Courts yesterday morning but it did not materialise.

There were, however, unconfirmed media reports that Dzamara and one Ishmael Kanzani were abducted and had their cars burnt by unidentified men along High Glen Road yesterday morning.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba last night said she was yet to get the details of the case.

“I am still trying to get hold of the officer commanding Harare Province (Senior Assistant Commissioner Elias Mvere) to get details on what transpired today (yesterday),” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said she would get the full update on the activities today.

In an interview, Zvorwadza confirmed that the demonstration had flopped and accused “State security agents” for having a hand in that and accused them of being brutal towards some of his colleagues.

“Today’s (yesterday’s) gathering was supposed to be on condemning bond notes and corruption and we wanted to do it peacefully but we were shocked that police burnt cars belonging to our colleagues,” he said.

He alleged that yesterday morning some unidentified men travelling in twin cab trucks had blocked vehicles belonging to Dzamara and Kanzani along High Glen Road before abducting them while they were coming from Mufakose.

He alleged that the two were later found near Lake Chivero after being dumped and were receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Meanwhile, a Harare lawyer Advocate Fadzai Mahere and some suspected activists were arrested after they were found with some placards at the Africa Unity Square.

They were taken by the police for further investigations.

In August, scores of people were injured, while property worth thousands of dollars — including vehicles — was damaged when shadowy groups, civic organisations and MDC-T supporters ran amok during demonstrations against the proposed introduction of bond notes and unemployment in Harare.

Among the injured was a policeman.

In July, Zimbabweans across the country ignored calls for a stayaway instigated by regime change agents on social media.

President Mugabe recently gazetted Statutory Instrument 133 of 2016, which provides a legal framework for the introduction of bond notes as acceptable legal tender in Zimbabwe. SI 133 of 2016, Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Amendment of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act, empowers the central bank to issue out bond notes using its preferred design, form and material.

The bond notes, which are guaranteed by a $200 million African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) loan facility, will be at par with the US dollar. Bond notes will be first introduced in $2 and $5 denominations before gradually rolling out the $10 and $20 notes.