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WE condemn in the strongest terms the violence which engulfed Beitbridge last Friday resulting in wanton looting of shops and burning of a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority warehouse by a mob which was protesting against the implementation of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016.

While the protesters might have had genuine grievances, the manner in which the demonstration turned violent after being hijacked by criminal elements is regrettable and the involvement of a third force points to a sinister motive by the organisers. The Government has said restrictions on imports of selected basic commodities will not be reversed because the policy is in Zimbabwe’s best interests and we support that view.

We feel it is unfortunate that South African businesses operating near Beitbridge decided to join the protests to try and arm-twist a sovereign state to adopt policies that favour them but are detrimental to Zimbabwe. The Government has every right to protect its industry and restricting the importation of certain products means our own manufacturing sector has breathing space to increase its productive capacity. We also wish to warn Zimbabweans against being coerced by shadowy groups purporting to act on their behalf and urging them to engage in violent street protests because no nation has ever prospered by destroying its own infrastructure.

There appears to be a hidden hand driving protests around the country and opposition elements are at the centre of a campaign to stoke the fires of violence and render this country ungovernable. Some people among the crowd of protesters in Beitbridge had T-shirts emblazoned with the moniker, “Tajamuka”, a phrase being used by a shadowy group which has been at the centre of anti-Government demonstrations around the country.

Of late, we have been witnessing a growing number of protests with most of the participants appearing brazen and confrontational in their approach. They are well resourced and this is evident in their regalia and nicely printed placards and the question which begs an answer is: Who is financing these groups?

The country’s security agencies should be on red alert because clearly someone is trying to incite peace-loving Zimbabweans into revolting against their Government. A handful of activists have been meeting at Africa Unity Square in Harare under the BringBack Itai Dzamara campaign. Another group has been moving around the capital’s Central Business District trying to incite violence over United States dollar shortages.

There is also a lot of misinformation on social media with messages being sent using WhatsApp chat groups and Twitter galvanising support for an uprising against the Government. The violence which rocked Beitbridge could not have been instigated by businesspeople or cross border traders. Apart from common criminals, the mob in the border town was made up of people from as far as Harare and these are the ring leaders who ensured that there was maximum carnage so as to further their nefarious agenda. For the past week, a campaign has been raging on several platforms to shut down the country tomorrow.

Yesterday, there were violent scenes in some Harare high density suburbs with kombi crews engaged in protests against police roadblocks. Civil servants are also threatening to strike at about the same time. Clearly, regime change agents are hard at work and have managed to successfully manipulate a few pliant Zimbabweans into burning down their own country to fulfil their evil designs.

We say NO to agents of imperialism who after having tried and failed to bring this country to its knees through ruinous sanctions are now resorting to all manner of skullduggery to achieve their aims. Zimbabweans are peace loving people who cherish their hard won independence, political stability and tranquility in the country and would never countenance a situation where chaos and mayhem are the order of the day.

Granted, the country is going through economic challenges but these are temporary and will never justify wanton looting, burning and destruction of property. We therefore appeal to Zimbabweans to remain calm and desist from any acts of violence. They should ignore misleading messages on social media exhorting them to defy authorities and continue going about their daily routines.

We are aware that our enemies are working day and night to ensure that this country crashes and burns but we are confident that our security apparatus is ready to deal with any eventualities. This country is too sophisticated to go down the route of failed states and we pray that this does not come to pass. Let’s shame the prophets of doom by preserving the peace and tranquility prevailing in the country.