Bob's sold Zimbabwe to Chinese: Protesters

23 September 2016 - 08:57 By Nhlalo Ndaba

As President Robert Mugabe spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York this week - and blamed his country's socio-economic plight on sanctions imposed by the West - rival groups of demonstrators protested outside. Pastor Evan Mawarire's This Flag Movement - which spearheaded broadly based protests against the Zimbabwean government earlier this year, and members of Tajamuka joined forces to tell the world of their grievances.Video clips shared on social media by the demonstrators showed a group of about 40 anti-Mugabe people protesting. In one clip they sing: ''Bob, you sold the country to the Chinese. Don't forget, we voted you in - we will vote you out.'' Zimbabwe drops plan to cut jobs and bonusesZimbabwe's government has dropped plans to cut public-sector jobs and bonuses a week after they were announced as activists call for more protests against economic mismanagement.''How does anyone support someone who runs down a country until there's 95% unemployment? We are not demonstrating here because we want privileges. We are demonstrating because we want our rights,'' said a Dr Manyika, who is based in the US. Poor turnout for latest Zimbabwe protestThere was a heavy police presence in Zimbabwe's major cities yesterday as people ignored a strike called by political activists to protest against the government's handling of growing discontent and economic woes.After Mugabe's UN speech, Mawarire, who is in exile in the US after fleeing Zimbabwe following a police crackdown earlier this year, said that official corruption has nothing to do with sanctions. Anti-Mugabe alliance presses ahead with protestsTwo Zimbabwean anti-government activists who were among scores of people detained in Harare on Friday have been remanded in custody for two weeks.''What do sanctions have to do with corruption? What do sanctions have to do with citizens being arrested unjustly and tortured? Zimbabwe is not a private company," he said.The pro-Mugabe December 12 Movement staged its own demonstration, saying the West was crucifying Mugabe for giving land to landless Zimbabweans...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.