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16 November, 2017

FELLOW Zimbabweans, following the address we made on 13 November, 2017 which we believe our main broadcaster, ZBC and The Herald were directed not to publicise, the situation in our country has moved to another level. Firstly, we wish to assure the nation that His Excellency, the President, of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde R.G. Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.

We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice. As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy. To the civil servants, as you are aware, there is a plan by the same individuals to influence the current purging which is in place which is place in the political sphere to the civil service.

We are against that act of injustice and we intend to protect every one of you against that. To the Judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure that, as an independent arm of the State, you are able to exercise your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has been the case with this group of individuals.

To our Members of Parliament, your legislative role is of paramount importance for peace and stability in this country and it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to serve your respective political constituencies according to democratic tenets. To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement.

However, we encourage those who are employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their normal activities as usual. Our wish is that you enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.

To political parties, we urge you to discourage your members from engaging in violent behaviour. To the youths, we call upon you to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be enticed with dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain committed to the ethos and values of this great nation. To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe, we call upon you and your congregations to pray for our country and preach the gospel of love, peace, unity and development.

To both our people and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of Government. What the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.

Thank you.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

This November 15, 2017 television and radio address by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant-General (Rtd)Sibusiso Busi Moyo, changed Zimbabwe’s course of history. SB, as he was popularly known became the face of Operation Restore Legacy that ushered in the New Dispensation and the Second Republic.

It was a heroic feat that saw Zimbabwe witnessing several suddenly moments until the inauguration of President Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe’s top diplomat succumbed to Covid-19 on Wednesday, as the nation was preparing to lay to rest national heroes Comrades Morton Malianga and Ellen Gwaradzimba.

From that time on, Zimbabwe embarked on a new trajectory — “Zimbabwe is open for business”, became the new mantra, promoted by Minister SB Moyo. While the past was important, it was time to move the country forward, ensuring that it was an equal member of the community of nations.