Mnangagwa confirms “clampdown” possibility ahead of national demos

By Staff Writer
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa Friday confirmed the possibility of a clampdown in the two major cities purportedly aimed at stopping the spread of Coronavirus.
Speaking during a politburo ordinary session Friday, Mnangagwa said his administration is seriously considering to renew lockdown measures.
“Government will soon renew lockdown measures in the wake of the recent spike of infections,” he said.
The remarks come at a time when opposition forces have slated July 31 as the demonstrations day against corruption, deteriorating economy and bad governance prompting human rights experts to speculate that the lockdown measures are aimed at clamping down demonstrations.
While Covid19 cases are rising , government had earlier announced the opening of schools and inter city travels saying the rate of infection is very minimal and not a risk in the face of the virus.
Mnagagwa’s remarks come shortly after several government and ruling party officials recently showed signs of panic in wake of demonstration announcements.
The ruling party Zanu-Pf national commissar , Victor Matemadanda recently accused the United States embassy in Harare for bankrolling the opposition forces to stage demonstrations aimed at removing the Zanu-pf political party from power.
Information Minister ,Senator Monica Mutsvangwa Thursday called upon public figures and political parties to act responsibly and safeguard the nation amid spiking Coronavirus cases.
She stressed that any kind of political posturing will only amass draw backs in combating the virus.
“Any call for mass action at this time is an unnecessary stoking of infection risk to the nation. This country cannot afford adventurism in the midst of this threat to our very existence.
Indeed in the face of COVID-19, Government continues to do its best to mitigate the impact of this pandemic. We continue to review and update our COVID-19 Response and Action Plan in line with prevailing conditions in the country and new information coming from the World Health Organization,” she said.