By Paul Nyathi|Police in Bulawayo have warned Mthwakazi Republic Party activists against trying to interfere with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Bulawayo on Friday.

The police summoned the Matabeleland regional party leaders on Tuesday and warned them that they will be thoroughly dealt with if they in any way interfere with Mnangagwa’s visit to the city.

The police intervention came up following reports that the activists were planning to demonstrate against President Mnangagwa during the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) on Friday.

Social media circulations are that the activists were planning to embarrass Mnangagwa during his address to register their concerns over his failure to address the 1980s Gukurahundi mass killings and his involvement in the atrocities.

MRP president Mqondisi Moyo confirmed that they were summoned and cautioned by police, but denied reports that they intended to protest against the President.

“We did not and we do not have any such plans to demonstrate at the ZITF. In any case, we never publicise our plans. However, it is true that senior police officers called us on Tuesday questioning us on the planned protest,” he said.

“The senior cops in attendance, such as Chief Superintendent Mthokoisi Manzini, said they had gathered information that we wanted to protest. I would like to think it was more of fear on their part that we had such plans. They were saying the protest, if any, will soil the country’s image during such a prestigious event when the country is looking for investors.”

In December last year, MRP activists were arrested and detained at army Barracks on the outskirts of Bulawayo after they confronted Mnangagwa during a church meeting at ZITF and demanded an explanation of his role in the Gukurahundi massacres.