Mnangagwa tells Chamisa to stop playing games and come for dialogue

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called upon MDC Leader Nelson Chamisa to dump grandstanding strategies and join the rest of Zimbabwe in a national dialogue.

President said this in a statement issued on Thursday via his Facebook where he touched a number of issues affecting the country.

President Mnangagwa also assured the nation that if there are any rogue soldiers and policemen that abused human rights during the recent civil unrest, they will face the full wrath of the law.

Read the full statement below:


Today, I met with the honourable members of the diplomatic corps here in Harare. I told them that in order to succeed we need unity, and for the world, once again, to believe in the new Zimbabwe.
Only in unity can we make it through this period of austerity, because tough decisions hurt. But just as tough medicine has short-term side effects; the long-term result is to cure the patient.

We continue to restructure our economy, and these economic measures will continue to be complemented by political reforms. We are proud of the strides we have already undertaken to fully entrench democratic values and constitutionalism in the country.

I emphasised once again that violence has no place in our midst; indeed, it is a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe and must be criticised by all parties. The implementation of the recommendations of the "Motlante Commission Report" into the August 1st Post Election Violence, is progressing well. Sadly, however, we witnessed once again the ugly flare of premeditated violence on the country's urban centres on 14th January in the disguise of mass protests and demonstrations.

I reiterated today that in the new Zimbabwe, everyone has the right to protest; peacefully. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions, peacefully. And everyone has the right to criticise me and the government; peacefully. The riots were neither civil nor peaceful and were bent on effecting a regime change.

Following the vandalism, violence, and associated looting, the security forces had to step in. And what followed is still being investigated. However, it must be clear to all that the army and the police are here to serve the people of Zimbabwe, to protect the people of Zimbabwe, to uphold and enforce the law of Zimbabwe.

Any evidence of rogue police officers or soldiers taking the law into their own hands will be dealt with and they will face the full force of the law.

On 6th February, I thus. invited the leaders of all political parties and former Presidential aspirants in the 2018 elections to an unconditional national dialogue. I once again called on those who refuse to take part in the national dialogue to stop grandstanding and playing games with the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. Let us join together and work for a prosperous and united Zimbabwe.

I concluded by urging the nations of the world to give the new Zimbabwe a chance. Stand with us. Stand with us as we toil to chart a new course for our nation, for the people of Zimbabwe. We are open and transparent; we have nothing to hide.

I will remain a listening President. My arms are outstretched, and my door is open. We hear your criticisms and when it is fair the insights are noted and implemented. But we are in the process of restructuring, reforming and rebuilding an entire system, an entire nation. Rome was not built in a day.

As we battle through these growing pains, I urge you all, to be our partners in building a better tomorrow for our people. With your help and support, we will build a new Zimbabwe.