Violence Will Not Be Countenanced

Opposition X commanders are drawing parallels with the violent street protests that erupted in Bangladesh when students demonstrated against a quota system for government jobs. These protests, which quickly turned into a broader challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule, began in July and turned violent on July 15 as student protesters clashed with security officials and pro-government activists. The unrest led to the deaths of over 400 people, with thousands arrested, ultimately resulting in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and her fleeing the country on August 5, 2024.

The ongoing agitation by inciteful opposition X commanders such as Hopwell Chin’ono, Prince Dubeko Sibanda, Skilled Rebhara, Ali Naka, and Majaira Jairosi, who are trying to foment disruptive mass protests before, during, and after the SADC Summit, will end in tears. It is sad that these keyboard warriors hide behind their screens to incite impressionable youths to risk their lives by carrying out violent demonstrations.

It is regrettable that these cowardly X commanders will never risk their lives by leading from the front but will push other people’s children to do their bidding. This mirrors the scenario that afflicted gullible MDC Alliance supporters on August 1, 2018, who took to the streets to ‘defend the vote’. Then MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, described them as ‘stupid’ for engaging in violence before election results were out. Many were arrested, and some lost their lives, paying the price on their own.

History must not be repeated. Progressive patriots should shun and ignore misguided calls for protests akin to those that happened in Kenya and Bangladesh. Just as the British government is clamping down on anti-immigration protests and arresting hundreds, Zimbabwe will unflinchingly clamp down on any demonstrations ahead of the SADC Summit. #NoToViolence #ZimSadcSummit