State Media

ZAPU will not participate in the planned July 31 illegal protests as doing so will increase the risk of members of the public contracting Covid-19.

Already, the country has recorded over 2 000 Covid-19 positive cases and 34 deaths.

In a statement Zapu spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa said the focus should be on fighting Covid-19 not politicking.

He said the agenda of July 31 protest organisers is still shrouded in mystery.

Mr Maphosa said the protests seem to advance individual agendas while sacrificing the public.

“We would like to categorically state that the mother party is not an active participant to the said demonstrations that are purportedly against corruption.

“This is informed by the reluctance by the organisers of the said demonstrations to engage, consult, or better still to invite other opposition players into partnering them,” said Mr Maphosa.

“The mother party is also, as a responsible entity that is sensitive to the safety and well-being of the populace, concerned more about the high-risk citizens are being subjected to by calling them to converge and mass protest.

“The lives of a desperate population are being pawned and deliberately put in firing line from the marauding coronavirus.”

“As such, we are certain that instant popularity, gained from a moment of desperation and freedom deprivation, does not carry the magnanimity of the Zimbabwean struggle in its totality.

“Are we just interested in the moment’s popularity or we want a lasting and sustainable solution to the people’s predicament? This is a question everyone must ask themselves. Don’t we care about the current ravaging pandemic, so long we will be popular for a moment? Is that what the Zimbabwean problem calls for?” asked Maphosa.