We wish to extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the bereaving family members who lost their beloved ones during the recent social unrest which were of a violent nature leading to the destruction of property and loss of life and amounted to treason.

We condemn in the strongest terms the amount of violence which has been witnessed in some cities and towns in the country. The government attributes all these unlawful acts to the MDC Alliance, their partners and funders, ZCTU, some NGOs and individuals.

Government therefore places full responsibility for compensation for victims of violence, destruction of property, injury, loss of lives on the MDC Alliance and all its associates.

MDC Alliance has been responsible for inciting violence through social media and engaging in unlawful gatherings that have been held prior to and during these unrests. MDC Alliance political leadership have over the past three months highlighted up act of psyching up their members to commit acts of violence while addressing political rallies and on social media.

MDC Alliance’s democratic resistance committees (DRCs) and their para- military wing, The Vanguard have been responsible for carrying out highly organised criminal activities during these unrests. These have been substantiated by the arrest of MDC Alliance officials such as Elvis Ruzani the councillor for Ward 32 Harare North who was part of a gang of 13 members who were arrested by the police along Harare Domboshava road while barricading the road and unwantomly stoning vehicles just to mention a few.

Security forces have so far arrested more than 600 people in connection with these rioters acts, 214 of whom have already appeared in court.

The Vanguard is also responsible for the sustained efforts to break into police stations to steal firearms for use in furthering their criminal activities. The trail of destruction left by these rogue elements is a clear indication that the intention was to remove a constitutionally elected government through force.

Looting of shops in most circumstances have affected ordinary persons and it is sad to note that some of these victims will never recover. Government also highlights that these demonstrations were conducted without notifying the police as stipulated by the law under the Public Order Security Act Chapter 11.

Government wishes to advise all those who were affected that Zimbabwean law allows them to seek redress from the perpetrators and organisers. We therefore urge all those whose property was destroyed and goods looted to quantify the damage incurred and report to the nearest police stations. This could serve a lesson to all those who are bent on causing chaos and mayhem in the country that your actions will not go unpunished. You are liable to pay compensation to the affected people.

We also take this opportunity to commend our Zimbabwe Defence Forces and security services for standing firm and restoring order in the extra ordinary circumstances. Our security agents are on the ground monitoring the situation to ensure that those who want to engage in their normal business do so without hindrance.

We are also appealing to public service providers to render their services to the people of Zimbabwe and to public transport operators to resume carrying passengers, to schools to open and generally for the public to engage in their activities freely.

We wish to warn all those who are threatening other people that they risk being arrested. We are also appealing to members of the public to report all unlawful activities to the police.

Meanwhile it has come to government’s attention that there is fake news being peddled by subversivee elements to the effect that armed forces are being paid US$500 . These are falsehoods. Government position is that it will not pay salaries in foreign currency.

We wish to thank all Zimbabweans who have remained peaceful despite provocation by unruly elements hence our appeal for calmness in the country.