The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) responded yesterday to a call for assistance at the ZESA Training Centre in Harare, where ZINASU student activists were engaged in an orgy of violence that resulted in extensive damage to ZESA and State property. The 44 students were arrested and fined for their criminal actions, while Emmanuel Sitima, their leader, remains in custody. This contradicts opposition activists’ false assertions that the police caused the violence by disturbing a peaceful gathering.
The ZRP is a highly professional, responsive, and alert police service that quells any form of violence to ensure peace and tranquillity prevail in Zimbabwe, allowing citizens to enjoy their rights. It is the norm worldwide that law enforcement authorities apply minimum force to rein in non-compliant criminals to effect arrests and restore order.
Authorities recognize that ZINASU, which prides itself as Generation Z, has been itching to provoke law enforcement in a bid to ignite a “Sarajevo Moment” and street protests similar to those unfolding in Kenya, aiming to attract international attention to the human rights situation in the country ahead of the SADC Summit. Zimbabwe is aware of this agenda and stands ready to decisively eviscerate any such machinations.
ZINASU has been actively mobilizing its membership to attend court sessions of the 74 CCC Chamisa Faction supporters arrested for an illegal political gathering to plan street protests to force the release of the criminal malcontents. The mischief behind the storm in a teacup being stirred by the excitable student activists is being sold to international organizations such as Amnesty International, western embassies, and SADC countries sympathetic to their dangerous cause.
Zimbabwe will not be deterred or distracted by these sideshows as it is fully focused on ensuring the peaceful and successful hosting of the SADC Summit.
