Harare – Zanu-PF’s youth league has vowed to “crush” future demonstrations, saying that the opposition will not succeed in overthrowing President Robert Mugabe’s government.
According to The Standard, the ruling party’s youth said this during its national assembly at the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare over the weekend.
Mugabe also attended the event.
“We have noted with concern the recent demonstrations and want to tell you [Mugabe] that no protests will succeed in removing you from power,” he said.
“We, as the youth league, are now on standby and next time there is any such demonstration, we will take the law into our own hands to defend the party,” the youth league’s national commissar Innoncent Hamandishe was quoted as saying.
Zimbabwe has seen a mounting tide of demonstrations in recent weeks, with protesters calling for the resignation of the veteran leader.
‘Reckless’ rulings
Mugabe, 92, has been in power since 1980 when the country won independence.
Police have often used tear gas, water cannons and open violence to crush the protests.
Mugabe himself blasted the southern African country’s judges for what he termed “reckless” rulings allowing demonstrations against his rule, saying he hoped they learnt a lesson after several demos turned violent.
“Our courts and judges should understand it even better. They dare not be negligent in their decisions as requests are made by people who want to demonstrate.
“Surely, they can take note of the fact that the mission is clear and deliberate towards causing violence.
“We can’t continue unimpeded. Enough is enough,” the nonagenarian was quoted as saying.
Zimbabwean police last week issues a ban on the protests for the next two weeks.
The notice cited a lack of manpower to prevent disorder. It said that demonstartions would only be allowed after September 16.
The notice also stated that anyone taking part in protests before then, could be imprisoned for up to a year.
