Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Tuesday commended the public for ignoring calls to participate in demonstrations that had been called for Monday, noting that there is general peace throughout the country.
Posting on their X handle, national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police details are still deployed on the ground to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the public and businesses.
“The ZRP commends the public for the peaceful environment which generally characterised the whole country on 31st March 2025. Currently the security situation is calm with police officers fully deployed on the ground in all parts of the country,” he said.
A survey conducted by New Ziana in the Harare Central Business District (CBD) showed that many businesses had reopened after staying closed on Monday following calls over the past week by expelled Zanu PF Central Committee member, Blessed Geza and his allies, for anti-government protests.
Geza called for the protests to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down, citing the lobby by some members of his ruling Zanu PF party for him to consider extending his term of office beyond 2028 when it expires.
President Mnangagwa is however on record stating unambiguously that he will go home to rest at the appointed time when his term comes to an end.
The planned demonstrations were a complete flop as Zimbabweans chose to stay away than be caught up in the violence that characterised previous ones.
All shops including the small ones that were closed on Monday were open as usual on Tuesday, with public transport also operating normally.
Police details were on high alert and could be seen patrolling the streets as an assurance to the public to go about their daily businesses.
Vendors, who it had largely been feared would join the demonstrations in anger at local authorities for harassing and chasing them from the streets but chose to stay at home on Monday, were back at their usual places on Tuesday.
The situation was the same in the country`s second-largest city Bulawayo, where business returned to normal after residents ignored calls for anti-government demonstrations the previous day, choosing instead to stay home and avoid unrest.
A survey that New Ziana conducted in and around the city showed that most businesses, including fuel stations, reopened without disruption, although school attendance remained low.
Key pickup and drop-off points for students, such as the City Hall, were nearly deserted, with only a handful of pupils’ present.
“We have resumed operations today. Everything is going well we have no complaints,” said a commuter omnibus driver at one of the city’s busy ranks.
At the bustling 5th Avenue market, farmers who sell fresh produce said they were relieved that the feared disruptions had not materialised.
Chris Ncube, a horticulture farmer from Umguza, lamented the financial impact of the forced stay away, saying such disruptive actions should be avoided at all costs.
“It was a loss because I deal in perishables, and such disruptions are retrogressive and destructive to our economy. People should engage leadership with their grievances rather than sabotaging business. We will never recover the revenue lost yesterday,” he said.
Local businessman Trevor Dhlamini urged peaceful dialogue, highlighting the fragility of the Zimbabwean economy. “Our economy is very fragile and is still recovering from the effects of Covid-19, we cannot afford to shut down,” he said.
While the city remained calm, security forces are still on alert to prevent any unrest. With business back in full swing, Bulawayo residents have signaled a preference for stability over violent confrontation, opting to protect livelihoods amid economic challenges.
New Ziana
