Don�t go to Zim: �Bloodless correction� underway
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday November 16, 2017 11:37
The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation yesterday issued a travel advisory so that people intending to travel to Zimbabwe exercise caution. Emmanuel Pheko an officer at foreign affairs yesterday confirmed the issuance of the travel advisory.
“The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation wishes to inform members of the public that in light of the recent developments in the Republic of Zimbabwe, Batswana are advised to avoid travelling to Zimbabwe until further notice,” reads the travel advisory passed to Mmegi.
The ministry has also promised to continue monitoring the events as they unfold.
At the time of going to press, Pheko was yet to respond to a critical question as to what will happen if people travel to Zimbabwe against the advisory and then fall in danger.
Meanwhile, a Mmegi news crew in Francistown spoke to a number of Zimbabweans travelling to their country yesterday after a day’s business in Francistown. Murozvi Mukuru, a 34yea-old trader came to Francistown yesterday morning from Bulawayo and returned yesterday evening. “I am aware of what is happening in Harare, but usually what happens in Harare ends in Harare. A lot has happened there in the past but it was later sorted out there. Previously, there were a number of demonstrations in Bulawayo, but we were not affected,” he said.
Lindelani Mleya, (41) is a trader in the transport industry. “I stay in Bulawayo and I have given up on what happens in Zimbabwe. Frankly, I don’t care anymore. I heard the military is taking over and the way I see it, there is going to be an internal war,” declared Mleya who has surrendered to fate on the developments in his country.
“People are unsettled. The passport office in Bulawayo is too busy. People want to move out at least until after the elections.
The storm is brewing in Zimbabwe and we don’t know whether we will survive or not,” he added. As for business, it has dropped ever since they changed the US dollar for the bond currency.
A 48-year-old trader from Chitungwiza in Harare chose to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. He said yesterday the streets in Harare were awash with the military personnel and war toys. He said desperation is kicking-in for the citizens of Harare.
He returned home to Harare yesterday a worried man because of the situation.
“I don’t fear going back, but I am worried. I am tired as are a lot of our people. Things might get ugly, but I prefer the soldiers to take over from Mugabe. “Our President has made people suffer and his wife Grace Mugabe will do the same if she was to take over. We are tired of the President and his governance.” Harare bus operator, Prosper Changana who plies the Francistown-Harare route daily, said he is scared for his life.
“The situation is bad; soldiers are arresting uniformed police officers and in their quest to stamp their authority, they harass all commuters,” said Changana.
He said apart from arrests, the situation is still under control, but the majority of his countrymen are still confused.
Changana said the ruling party and the army should sort out their differences and focus on real issues affecting Zimbabweans such as the high unemployment rate.
Another bus operator who plies the same route, Blue Moore who shared the same sentiments as Changana, said that they are confused about the situation taking place in Harare.
However, he said he supports the decision taken by the Zimbabwean army to take control of Harare. He said maybe their long time wish of a Zimbabwe-free Robert Mugabe will be realised.
“All we have ever wished for was for the President of Zimbabwe Mugabe to step down.
Maybe if the Zimbabwean army could take over, the nation as a whole would prosper again,” he said. Moore indicated that Zimbabweans have suffered and are tired of injustices and the high unemployment rate that has prevailed under the leadership of Mugabe, and noted that it is time he vacates the presidency.
He said generally the civilians are not directly affected by the current situation and it is life as usual. He however, warned that civilians are watching with keen interest as events unfold.