'Perpetrators of violence to be hunted down'

THE Government has said there is no justification for using violence in trying to address the country's challenges, which it is resolving. It also commended the public for showing political maturity and refusing to be used by malcontents angling for civil unrest in the country.

In a statement, Information Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe said perpetrators of violence and those bent on disturbing peace in the country will be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law.

"Government wishes to commend fellow Zimbabweans for showing political maturity and tolerance in the face of extreme provocation by a few elements bent on undermining and disturbing the peace and tranquillity which we enjoy in our country.

"There have been persistent efforts by those misguided malcontents in the past few days to mislead people into taking to the streets and perpetrating malicious destruction of property as well as challenging figures of authority," said Dr Mushohwe.

He said the authors of lawlessness must reconsider their behaviour and appreciate the full consequences of their actions as Government will not tolerate any breakdown in law and order.

"The isolated disturbances in Beitbridge and a few suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo must be condemned unreservedly and in the strongest of terms.

''There is absolutely no justification for anyone to resort to violence to resolve challenges which are being addressed by government," Dr Mushohwe said.

"Perpetrators of violence and those bent on disturbing our peace will be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law. The net is closing in on those ghosts who have been behind inflammatory messages on social media. Government will never countenance a situation where instruments and platforms of communication are misused to cause mayhem and lawlessness in our society."

He encouraged law-abiding citizens to ignore destructive messages. "Zimbabweans must be warned that social media has become an instrument for destroying peaceful and stable nations as amply exemplified on our continent and elsewhere.

Government encourages operators in the communication industry not to allow their platforms and businesses to be used for unethical and subversive activities. Should such abuse persist, Government will be left with no alternative but to take sterner and corrective actions," said Dr Mushohwe.

Police national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba also hailed most Zimbabweans for not participating in violent protests saying the situation had returned to normal.

She said police were worried by the level of manipulation of members of the public through social media messages. Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged the Government to put strict measures to curb social media abuse in the country.

She said the police are aware of messages that are circulating in the social media calling for a demonstration at State House today. "We want them to know that police will be out in full force to deal with any eventualities," she said.