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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
Government will do everything possible to stop retrogressive forces that seem to have a penchant for disrupting President Mnangagwa’s efforts to engage and re-engage potential investors each time he leaves the country on official visits to scout for trading partners, an official has said.

Speaking at a press conference where she highlighted the socio-economic and political situation in Manicaland, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said Government would do everything possible to restore order and stop retrogressive forces that wanted to disrupt the President’s efforts.

Dr Gwaradzimba said security details were firmly on the ground and ready to deal with any rogue individuals bent on instigating violence.

“Observations are that each time the President His Excellency Cde ED Mnangagwa goes out of the country to engage and re-engage potential investors, retrogressive forces attempt to disrupt the system to scare away investors from coming here,” she said.

“Security details are firmly on the ground ready to deal with any unscrupulous behaviour of people bent on instigating violence, especially the MDC-Alliance, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) together with other social groups and NGOs. They are vigilant and are located at strategic places to protect the people.”

Dr Gwaradzimba said people should not be intimidated by such individuals bent on causing mayhem.

“However, people are now aware of these machinations and the Government will do everything possible to restore order,” she said.

Dr Gwaradzimba assured the people of Manicaland and urban commuters in particular that ZUPCO buses would soon be availed in the province, with logistics already at an advanced stage.

She said the Public Service Commission had since re-introduced two trips per suburb to ferry civil servants who live in Chikanga and Dangamvura in Mutare.

“At the moment, I call upon parents to take their children to school and feel safe as Government is in full control of the situation,” she said. “Teachers who prefer to sit risk losing their jobs as the Government will not tolerate such be haviour.”

Dr Gwaradzimba said she appreciated all hospitals and clinics that remained operational rendering services during the period of the demonstrations, saying the situation that the country was facing needed to be dealt with collectively.

She urged the youths not to be used to perpetrate violent acts, saying they were the vanguards of the country.

“Let us continue to uphold our democracy and preserve peace in the country,” she said. “As your Minister of State I appeal to you all peace-loving Zimbabweans to continue to pursue national unity and peace building as His Excellency the President always preaches.”