Emmerson Mnangagwa blames ‘rogue Zimbabweans’ for violence

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed the nation on Tuesday 4 August, while citizens continue to take to the streets over the ailing economy and allegations of corruption.

Mnangagwa’s address was characterised by scapegoating and accusations that the chaos unfolding on the streets of Bulawayo and Harare is the work “a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors”, as well as “dark forces”.

Mnangawa: ‘dark forces’ behind Zimbabwe unrest 

Mnangagwa began his strange speech by saying that the currently remains committed to, and on target to achieve, it’s goals of returning the country to stability, dipping into the political platitudes at a dizzying pace by proclaiming that unity will triumph over discord.  

“Our goal remains clear. This is the goal of peace, unity, stability, development, progress and prosperity Although our progress has been slowed down, rest assured, we will overcome. We will stop the bleeding of ur economy, and overcome attempts at destabilisation of our society by a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors.”

“The reforms opening up liberalisation and modernisation will continue at accelerated pace. Those who promote hate and disharmony will never win. The bad apples that have attempted to divide our people and weaken our system will be flushed out.” 

“Good shall triumph over evil. Let us all unite and work towards a common goal.”

Mnangagwa came across as out of touch with the current mood engulfing the embattled African nation, saying that transparency and honesty are key pillars that guide his government to rooting out corruption. 

“We make no apologies for fixing our systems. Accountability and transparency will keep on being enforced in every facet of our society,” he said. “Economic aggression, local currency manipulation, and detractors who fear the inevitable eminence of success of our reforms,” Mnangagwa said.

he said that the protesters were making his task of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis all the more difficult.

“All this was meant to undermine our projected economic growth and stability. As a result, we have had to constantly recalibrate our compass to ensure that we remain on course and that the standard of life of the majority of our society gets better and better,” he said.

Dozens arrested as residents take to the streets  

In Bulawayo and Harare, businesses have been shut as police and soldiers patrol streets enforcing the law against protesters who have had enough of rampant inflation running above 700%, shortages of foreign currency and public hospitals crippled by strikes and a lack of medicine.

Police have arrested dozens of demonstrators in recent days, including a prominent journalist who had helped lift the lid on corruption related to COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE), which is also the source of great concern in neighbouring South Africa. 

Part of the anger in Zimbabwe stems from a report linking President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son to a dodgy multimillion dollar contract for PPEs.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called for Zimbabwe’s embassy in South Africa to be closed on Tuesday, warning that if it is not shut down, the party will prevent ambassadors from meeting with South African contingents.