Harare – A diverse coalition of Zimbabwean citizens have formally notified the police of their intention to hold nationwide peaceful demonstrations this Thursday, citing the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest as enshrined in Section 59. This unified action comes amid escalating political tensions fuelled by a deepening socio-economic crisis that has plunged ordinary Zimbabweans into dire poverty.
The joint notification, submitted to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) headquarters in Harare on Friday afternoon, is a collective expression of discontent from various sectors of society, including the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu), vendors, nurses, doctors, teachers, and kombi representatives.
The document, stamped at the police headquarters at 1520 hours, explicitly states the demonstration is a direct response to the prevailing economic crisis, which organisers attribute to “corruption, tribalism, nepotism and lack of governance.”
“We, the concerned citizens of Zimbabwe, hereby notify the Joint Operations Command (JOC) of our intention to participate in a peaceful demonstration countrywide,” the notification reads.
The organisers minced no words in demanding accountability from the government for the economic meltdown that has robbed citizens of their economic freedom. They also called upon the police to provide security and ensure the peaceful nature of the protest.
“We wish to emphasise that the demonstration is a constitutional right, as enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe,” the notification continues. “We are exercising our right to bring the government to account for the economic meltdown, which has resulted in citizens lacking economic freedom.”
Furthermore, the notification urges the JOC to ensure that the security cluster is fully aware of the demonstrations and provides maximum protection to the demonstrators. “We believe that the peaceful demonstration is a necessary step towards bringing about change and promoting economic freedom in Zimbabwe,” it states. “We urge the JOC to respect our constitutional right to demonstrate and provide the necessary protection to ensure a peaceful and successful demonstration.”
According to observers and security sources, the decision to remove vendors was made following security briefings last week. “It is easy to start demonstrations when vendors are in the streets,” a security source revealed.
The ultimatum has already sparked chaos across the country, with reports of vendors clashing with municipal police attempting to enforce the removal order.
Echoing these sentiments, Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation representative, Samuel Wadzanai, emphasised the need for peaceful resolution. “We don’t expect people to resort to violence from both the vendors and authorities,” he stated. “We need to create alternative safe vending spaces for the vendors.”
Despite the growing unrest and the planned demonstrations, Zanu PF director of Information, Farai Marapira, has dismissed any concerns, claiming the ruling party is unfazed. “Why should we panic; there is guaranteed failure in the demonstration,” Marapira said. “People need to calm down, but as a revolutionary party we take every funny threat seriously.”
The planned demonstrations represent a significant moment in Zimbabwe’s ongoing struggle for economic and political reform. Whether the protests will proceed peacefully, and whether the government will heed the calls for accountability, remains to be seen.
