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Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected] 

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday reaffirmed the nation’s awareness of attempts to sow discord by long-standing detractors and urged citizens to remain vigilant and united, emphasising the importance of national cohesion and resilience. 

As Zimbabwe prepares to host the Sadc Summit next month, it has emerged that the opposition, along with certain rogue civil society organisations, is reportedly planning on staging demonstrations and inciting violence. 

Government, on its part, has signalled readiness to ensure the forthcoming summit’s security and success. It has made it clear that any attempts to disrupt the peace will be met with a firm response. 

In his keynote address, as he launched the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme at State House in Bulawayo yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the Government is fully aware of the divisive actions of the country’s long-standing detractors, evident in various sectors, including political parties and volunteer organisations, saying the manipulation will not prosper. 

The programme ran under the theme “Promotion healing, peace and unity through community engagement: Sikhuthaza ukwelatshwa kwamanxeba, ukuze kube lokuthula lokubambana lokuxoxisana.”

Said the President: “History records that all internal divisions amongst us as a people have been instigated by our detractors in various guises through generations. It is our detractors who worked tirelessly to pit one tribe against the other during the colonial era. 

“These oppressors sought to sow seeds of division amongst liberation struggle fighters and within communities.”

However, he emphasised that the country’s unity acts as a strong immovable barrier against the historical aim of the detractors to control the nation, asserting that their efforts will be unsuccessful.

President Mnangagwa said the interference and machinations were designed to divide the country and consequently create post-independence conflicts.

“We are aware that the same forces have not abandoned their ultimate goal of thwarting the realisation of our determination to remain as united Zimbabweans. Our unity must stand as an immovable barrier to prevent their historic goal of subjugating us in numerous ways including in the economic sphere,” he said.

“The interference by our detractors manifests itself in different ways. They manifest as political parties with a regional agenda which seeks to divide our people and question the unitary nature of our State. We see them!”

The President added, “They manifest as voluntary organisations ostensibly concerned with the people’s plight yet they exaggerate and magnify regional grievances while at the same time seeking to belittle our efforts at reconciliation and unity at the behest of their founders. We see them!”

President Mnangagwa said the country’s detractors are in all forms of the media including social media, and propagating statements of hatred, difference and vengeance against specific groupings of the nation. 

“We see them! Let us all say to them you shall not succeed,” he said.

Attempts by some elements to cause a scene through a demonstration at the just-ended 26th Sadc Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation in Lusaka, Zambia, flopped as only one man turned up.

Zimbabwe and Zambia share a rich history of co-operation, dating back to the colonial era during which the latter played a pivotal role in the country’s liberation war by opening up its borders to freedom fighters.

The two countries share critical infrastructure and resources such as the Kariba Dam, Victoria Falls Bridge and also the Victoria Falls, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.