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ZIMBABWE’S detractors must not be allowed to stir civil unrest before or during the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare later this month and in the process soil the image of the country.

The highlight of the summit will be the assumption of the 16-member regional bloc’s chairmanship by President Mnangagwa.

However, ahead of the Summit, Western aligned organisations have been clandestinely channelling thousands of dollars towards opposition elements to spearhead anti-Government demonstrations in the country.

It is against this background that we welcome the declaration by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe that any attempts by foreign-sponsored opposition elements to cause violent protests before or during the Summit will be met with befitting responses from the country’s law enforcement agents.

“The attempts at rendering the country ungovernable will be met with befitting responses. Let those seeking to create an atmosphere of despondency among peace-loving citizens be warned that such antics will not be tolerated”.

Minister Kazembe assured the nation that “peace and security is guaranteed”. “Spoilers and anti-development minded forces shall be dealt with decisively. We call upon the nation to ignore the numerous misleading social media messages from opposition quarters. We will go after those pushing for lawlessness, and allow the law to take its course. This country has adequate laws to deal with those bent on lawlessness”.

Minister Kazembe added that the Government has a constitutional mandate to govern as Zimbabweans democratically spoke in the August 2023 harmonised elections.

“We will not be apologetic to exercise that mandate given the will of the people through universally acknowledged processes. It is indeed disappointing to note the misplaced priorities of sections of the opposition who are agitated to stir civil unrest at a time focus should be on hosting the Summit”.

Minister Kazembe said the Security Cluster is aware of secret meetings that were being held within and outside the country’s borders by those who are seeking to foment civil unrest in cahoots with the country’s detractors.

He said anti-Government activists should not nurse “a misguided perception that the presence of the international community in the country during the Summit presents them with an opportunity to inflict reputational damage on the country without consequence”.

“The Security Cluster is aware of secret meetings being held locally and outside the country by those seeking to unleash civil disobedience. We already know the personalities and the institutions that they front.

“We are also aware of those giving them logistical and financial support. We have also established their modus operandi which includes hiring taxis to ferry demonstrators,” said Minister Kazembe.