Zanu PF threatens Chamisa over 31 July demo
Addressing journalists at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare today, the party’s acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa dared MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to lead the 31 July protests.
Chinamasa said opposition leaders should not call for a protest if they are not ready to protest themselves. He implied that there will be a repeat of the August 1 shootings if the opposition goes ahead with protests on 31 July.
Chinamasa said:
We send this warning loud and clear and we say to Chamisa and those who are likeminded, Don’t be the cowards that you were on the first of August in 2018 or on the fourteenth to the sixteenth of January last year. You were never to be found. You were in your house. If you do whatever you are threatening to do come in front and face the music. We have…Our cadres are ready to take up and to take on anybody who attacks them.
Watch the video of Chinamasa below:
Opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume is the one that called on Zimbabweans to partake in protests on 31 July. However, the initiative has been criticised by some opposition politicians.
Former army colonel and Zanu PF legislator Daniel Shumba has argued that the army could have a hand in facilitating the 31 July demonstration against the Zanu PF government.
Writing on his Twitter page, the former army colonel suggested Harare based church leader Shingi Munyeza is being used by the army to oust President ED Mnangagwa and replace him with Vice President Chiwenga or Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo.
Read: Zimbabweans must not be used by the Army again on 31 July second coup, former Colonel says
Today Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa also revealed that he is considering reviewing the national lockdown restrictions following a spike in local transmissions. Critics say Mnangagwa wants a hard lockdown to prevent opposition protests.
Read: Breaking: Mnangagwa to review lockdown restrictions ahead of 31 July demo