Unable to deal with the global surge of unpopularity and free flow of information on social media, the government has threatened once again to curb what it calls “social media abuse”.
It remains unclear practically how the cash strapped government which is failing to pay its civil servants will resource such an operation to block millions of Zimbabweans from accessing and communicating, on Facebook and WhatsApp networks.
Government remains in denial as to the real cause of the crisis affecting the country, but instead lays blame on innocent Zimbabweans who communicate their daily lives and struggles through social media, as they debate and propose solutions.
Analysts say Government ministers are better placed, learning and picking solutions from the vibrancy in social media instead of harassing innocent citizens.
The above analysis is instigated by remarks made to the Zanu-PF Provincial Coordinating Committee on Saturday, by the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Thokozile Mathuthu who claims people who are bent on abusing social media platforms for the purposes of inciting Zimbabweans into revolting against the Government might force Government to regulate social media.
“Among us here, there are people who have joined the WhatsApp chat groups to demonise the Zanu-PF party and Government. They post false messages and images to agitate citizens.”
“This was used to coordinate the civil servants’ strike. We are saying stop it! We will be left with no choice, but to regulate the social media platforms as a lot of misinformation is peddled to incite peace loving citizens to go on strike and destroy property,” said Minister Mathuthu.
Addressing the same gathering, Zanu-PF Secretary for External Relations Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Statutory Instrument No. 64 of 2016 is meant to protect local industries and local jobs.
“If you order goods in bulk from outside Zimbabwe, then you are exporting jobs as local industries will be forced to close. No country can survive on imports alone.” Mumbengegwi said the President instructed that all dams should be used for irrigation to ensure food security in the country.
“The President said all dams should be used for irrigation-driven agricultural activities to ensure no one starves. Last week, Harare and Bulawayo witnessed sporadic disturbances by demonstrators that were blockading roads and burning old tyres after being mobilised by shadowy elements through social media.