Zimbabweans urged to snub stay-away calls

Zanu-PF and traditional leaders have condemned recent acts of violence and implored Zimbabweans to ignore calls from some quarters to stay away from work tomorrow.

The country yesterday witnessed some skirmishes in Epworth, Ruwa and Mabvuku as touts clashed with police, while cross border traders staged their own violent protests in Beitbridge on Friday.

After the acts of violence, which were however quenched by riot police and led to several arrests, a traditional leader and the ruling Zanu-PF party have condemned the skirmishes being perpetrated by what they described as state enemies who are bent on causing chaos.

"Zimbabweans should refuse to be used by those driven by foreign agendas. They should snub calls for the planned work stay-away being peddled by some western sponsored elements who are being used to try and attain regime change along the lines of the Libyan, Egyptian and Tunisian Arab springs," Chief Saunyama said.

Zanu-PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs,Kudzanaui Chipanga told the ZBC News at a press briefing meeting held at the Zanu-PF headquarters today that the youths and its principled leadership are geared and ready to work for the country as usual.

"The barbaric acts witnessed in Epworth and Mabvuku are machinations by the opposition parties as proven by their supportive utterances to the violence. As the Zanu-PF Youth League, we urge law enforcement agents to take appropriate action on any perpetrators of violence without fear, favour or prejudice," he said.

Zanu-PF Commissar for Harare Province,Shadreck Mashayamombe also condemned tomorrow's planned stay away.

"Zimbabweans should report for duty tomorrow. They must not be afraid of threats of violence as mechanisms are in place to ensure peace," saidMashayamombe.

Zanu-PF Manicaland Youth ChairmanMbuso Nyanguno chipped in saying: "Zanu-PF respects the democratic right of citizens to express their opinions and views, but that should be done in accordance with the laws and constitution of the country. So I urge every Zimbabwean, be they workers, students or just the general populace, to act in a responsible manner."

In the past, some political groups who have tried to get to power have failed to do so and had poor showing in elections.