By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has firmly dismissed a widely circulated statement claiming that it had sanctioned protests scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2025. The police labeled the statement as fake.
On Sunday, March 30, ZRP National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi addressed the issue, urging the public to disregard the false information and emphasized that the ZRP had not issued any communication authorizing the protests.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses a fake and false purported press statement issued by criminals claiming that the police has authorised or sanctioned demonstrations on 31st March 2025. The fake statement should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. For the record, no press statement was issued by the ZRP today,” Nyathi stated.
The fabricated statement, which gained traction on social media, suggested that the police supported citizens’ rights to peaceful protest and welcomed the planned demonstrations. It falsely claimed that the ZRP recognized peaceful protest as a key democratic right and encouraged public demonstrations conducted in a non-violent manner.
Parts of the fake statement read: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the democratic rights of every citizen in our country. We recognize that peaceful protest is a vital expression of democracy, and we wholeheartedly welcome the public’s right to demonstrate in a constructive and non-violent manner.”
The false statement also urged demonstrators to conduct themselves peacefully, warning against inciting violence.
“While we support the right to protest, we urge participants to engage respectfully and to respect the rights and safety of others. Actions that incite violence or disrupt public order will not be tolerated and may lead to consequences under the law,” it claimed.
However, the ZRP has made it clear that this statement did not originate from them and has warned the public against believing or spreading such misinformation.