By Tito Malowe
The massive stay away witnessed on 31 March brought business to a grind, at least that’s what the planned demonstrations turned out to be.
No credit to the keyboardist warriors who encouraged people to flood the streets as the masses chose to stay tucked in their homes.
Harare resembled a ghost town for lack of a better phrase. People avoided central business districts for fear of their lives. The 2018 firing of live ammunition to unarmed fleeing civilians is still fresh in citizens mind.
Army personnel deployed then to quell post election violence by opposition supporters largely the MDC alliance left 6 people dead with one of them hit by a stray bullet, hundreds were left nursing wounds with several others arrested and no one as held accountable till now.
The arrests of opposition figures like the Avondale Timbe group, the Chibaya budiriro team, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Jacob Ngarivhume,Hopewell Chin’ono , Job Sikala’s and fresh one of Blessed Mhlanga’s , punctuated by President’s assertion,”if u demostrate , you will invite teargas and throw you in jail” sent a chilling warning to people, hence they ignored the call encouraging citizens to do business as usual.
After all, history tells victims of violence associated with most Zimbabwean demonstrations are not the protagonists but people heeding the call to go about their business as usual.
At this juncture, Mr President together with your advisors it’s time to reflect and unite this polarised nation through listening to the voice of the people.
You once popularised the phrase ” the voice of the people is the voice of God,” your people communicated to you yesterday, it’s time you listen to them.
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