As political tensions are rising fast in Zimbabwe after activists called for demonstrations on July 31 against government corruption, which they blame for deepening the worst economic crisis in more than a decade, the government is alleged to have resolved to shutdown the Internet and WhatsApp services.

By Tongai Mwenje

The revelation came out after an explosive politburo meeting held in the capital on Wednesday.

According to an online publication, ZimLive, President Emmerson Mnangagwa used the platform to confront his internal Zanu PF opponents with the help of Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss Isaac Moyo.

It is reported that Moyo was fronted to present an intelligence dossier that implicated polituburo member Claveria Chizema and former ZANU PF Mbare MP Tendai Savanhu in the July 31 protests.

“Moyo accused Chizema and Savanhu of organising and funding the planned anti-government protests on Friday. It was styled like Jonathan Moyo’s ‘Blue Ocean’ presentation in July 2017, when the target then was Mnangagwa. It was quite theatrical, but of a lesser quality. Placards were presented, allegedly seized from all 10 provinces indicating support for Chiwenga. Moyo told the Politburo the placards were allegedly going to be paraded on July 31,” the source told ZimLive.

In a Twitter post, former ZANU PF politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo suggested that the intelligence report has led to a complete internet shutdown resolution.

“Mnangagwa, Owen Mudha Ncube and Isaac Moyo have resolved to shutdown the Internet and WhatsApp services ahead of #31July2020. There’s panic across the system, after it became clear that ZanuPF & government players are supporting the demonstration!

ZanupfMustGo

31JulyMovement,” Moyo posted.

Meanwhile, the accused Politburo member Chizema has been suspended for failing to report to the Zanu PF security department or the CIO that anti-Mnangagwa posters had been delivered to her home.

Mnangagwa and his security arms have warned the citizens against the Friday demonstrations.

Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe on Wednesday announced that he had banned the Friday demonstrations.

In the past week, Minister of Information Monica Mutsvangwa and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sibusiso Moyo have accused Western countries of sponsoring Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent journalist known for exposing alleged government corruption, and Jacob Ngarivhume, an opposition politician behind the planned protests.

They have been detained for a week on allegations of organising the planned protests. The police have said they are looking for several other activists and politicians accused of mobilising protests.