We Do not expect significant backing for protests scheduled today initiated by a one-time member of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and a previous Zanu PF Central Committee member whose dissenting opinions failed to win adherents within these groups.
Before launching his social media campaigns aimed at overcoming the lack of backing from former colleagues, even fewer individuals within the broader populace would have been familiar with his name.
Additionally, the backing he receives via social media originates from obscure groups and unknown individuals who might not be widely recognized.
On numerous occasions, we've witnessed unknown groups suddenly surface to issue statements.
At most, this involves only about six individuals gathered around a box of beer somewhere, but typically it’s just one person who believes they hold significance. Nowadays, it could simply be someone generating numerous social media handles, thereby establishing multiple groups where each consists solely of that same individual.
Based on previous experiences with inconsequential groups advocating for public demonstrations, we can expect no significant events occurring today. Usually, such appeals can be disregarded without concern.
None of the prominent figures in opposing political parties have supported calls for protests, and most Zimbabweans understand the foolishness of participating in senseless violent demonstrations.
Social media rumors, often presented as facts instead of fabrications, suggesting that the authorities may shut down central business areas are clearly untrue.
The authorities have made it clear that there will be a greater police presence to make sure that criminals do not try and take advantage of the calls and social media chatter.
We expect everyone to carry on with their normal legal business and legal activities.
However, there are still dangers, again based on past experience, because some individuals, sometimes grouping themselves for the day as they try and talk each other into activity, might attempt to take advantage of the situation to rob and loot.
This scenario has occurred multiple times, with individuals gathering together before taking swift action to raid stores and enterprises, seizing whatever goods they can get their hands on.
This is what obviously makes many business people nervous.
The formal retailers, through the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers, sought and received assurances from the police and the authorities that adequate police protection would be available to deter criminal gangs who might target their businesses, and if the worse came to the worse, deal with criminals trying their luck.
CZR has issued a statement saying that its members should treat today like a normal business day, and we expect most of them will.
The primary public transportation entities have been informed that bus and kombi services will remain unaffected. Following this assurance, they have encouraged their members to carry on with regular operations.
The transporters have also urged the police who might be keeping an eye on traffic and potential troublemakers to let their buses and kombis through without delays.
It ought to be simple to organize this. The police might wish to briefly look into the windows of certain public transportation vehicles; however, once they observe ordinary individuals engaged in typical activities, which would be straightforward to notice, they could easily move past it.
These retail and transport groups would obviously welcome a denser police presence, so that potential troublemakers and criminals will maintain a low profile and slink off. And this seems to be the position of the police, who have been making it clear that they regard today as a normal working day.
Some individuals may remain hesitant about traveling, fearing they might get involved in troublesome situations, and we can understand their concerns.
However, they shouldn’t be concerned, as they frequently have the opportunity to discover prior to making any moves that everything is fine. Consequently, they can proceed with their usual routines.
This unease has clearly led many to explore niche social media platforms to determine if their concerns hold weight. However, we trust that they will come to understand there isn’t much substance to the provocations and consequently ease up.
It appears strange that an individual with minimal presence as a public figure can generate substantial misinformation on certain social media platforms. However, this is unfortunately something we encounter in today’s world.
We must increasingly get accustomed to such occurrences and learn to differentiate between accurate reporting and false information.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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