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circulated rumours that the occasion would result in disturbances, resulting in some businesspeople temporarily closing their premises.
However, police have said they recorded no major cases of concern in and around Harare attributable to the launch. Many of the businesses that did not open their doors in the morning did so after realising they had been duped by people with ulterior motives.
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector James Sabau, said they had strategically deployed units to ensure peace prevailed.
“Everything went on well and peacefully and they were no major incidents which were reported,” he said.
Insp Sabau thanked the launch organisers and participants for adhering to the rule of law.
“Despite the big numbers, they were very peaceful and co-operated with the instructions of the police.
“We urge them to continue with that spirit.”
He said they had deployed both uniformed and plain clothes personnel to curb criminal activities.
“We will remain alert and focused on the ground,” Insp Sabau said.
President Mugabe yesterday appended the first signature to the National Anti-Sanctions Petition as Zimbabwe goes a step further in fighting the illegal Western sanctions on the country.
Police ensured large groups were broken down into smaller units as people moved through the city centre to the campaign launch at Harare Exhibition Park’s open park.
There were reports that some commuter omnibuses were forcibly re-directed to take people to the launch but these could not be verified at the time of writing. Police said they had not received any complaints to this effect.