Government says to blacklist, rehabilitate, "career protestors'

• Published date: 29 August 2016
• Publication title: New Zimbabwe

HOME AFFAIRS deputy minister Obedingwa Mguni says the state was in the process of blacklisting and further rehabilitating Zimbabwean activists who have turned themselves into 'career demonstrators' and now pose constant danger to other citizens.

Mguni said this in parliament last week while responding to a question by Zanu PF MP for Chegutu Dexter Nduna who had asked what government was doing with 'people who go into incarceration, come out of it and go back to demonstrate and indulge in further demonstrations'.

'We cannot fully reveal the steps that we are taking but I will try to partially answer your question. We have a very strong intelligence section that is gathering all the data base that you are concerned about,' Mguni said.

The Zanu PF government has come under increased pressure to step down after it has failed to reverse the country's protracted economic crisis which critics blame on high level corruption and downright incompetence.

Through street protests and popular social media platforms, activist groups have placed the country's rulers on the back foot.

Prominent groups that have emerged strongly since the 2013 elections include Occupy Africa Unity Square, #Tajamuka/Sesijikile and Pastor Evan Mawarire's #ThisFlag campaign.

In his response to Nduna, Mguni said government was rehabilitating those who have been grumbling continuously against the country's rulers.

'We are now advanced because some people need rehabilitation,' Mguni said.

'We are not only arresting people but we have gone a step further and now go out to visit such people and...