By Correspondent
The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has announced plans to close all entry points into Matabeleland in a protest against the smuggling of resources.
The protest will take place on June 16, 2023, according to the party’s Youth League.
Mudenda Chilumbo, Chairperson of the Youth League said an uprising is needed to stop the smuggling of mineral resources.
The looting is allegedly being done by politicians and individuals linked to the ruling ZANU PF party.
“We have the borders at Plumtree, Beitbridge and Kazungula as well as airports that are Joshua Nkomo International Airport and the Victoria Falls International Airport, we will bring them to a halt.
“These are the avenues through which gold and other precious minerals are being smuggled out of the country.
“So we will make sure that no plane will fly from both airports, and no haulage trucks will also move out of the border.
“This is the only way to stop this nonsense,” he said.
MRP Wants An Uprising
Chilumbo extended the call to youths in Matabeleland to participate in their ‘uprising’.
“We are prepared to die for this country and would not allow looting to continue.
“We have doctors, nurses and teachers who are suffering yet there are gold smugglers. It is our duty to stop that nonsense.
Chilumbo added that they intend to restore the spirit of the liberation struggle.
“We are calling on youths from these various places that house these borders to support our call.
“Youth in Beitbridge must close the border there while we here in Bulawayo meet at the airport.
“We have value and ethics while others are concerned about smuggling gold. We have to deal with the saga of gold smuggling before elections,” he said.
The party said they chose the day that coincides with the 16 June Youth Day in South Africa.
Youth Day commemorates the Soweto uprising, which took place on June 16, 1976.
Thousands of students were ambushed by the apartheid regime and killed.