ZANU PF Party’s First Secretary and President His Excellency President E. D Mnangagwa has warned organisers of the planned ill-fated 31 July 2020 demonstrations that security forces are on high alert. President Mnangagwa said this whilst addressing members of the Politburo at the 342nd Ordinary Session at the ZANU PF Headquarters today. Social media campaigns over the past month have seen some opposition members organising for demonstrations scheduled for the 31st of July resulting in the arrest of some of them. “I want to warn the organisers of this ill fated demonstration, that our security services will be vigilant and on high alert to appropriately respond to their shenanigans. I urge all patriotic and law abiding citizens to shun these malcontents and reject their divisive and ruinous plan. I would like to assure the people that my Government will continue to act in their best interest at all times,” said the President. President Mnangagwa went on to highlight that the planned demonstration is a threat to the country’s democracy and constitutionalism. “This meeting is being held against a backdrop of the threat to our democracy, our constitutionalism, the rule of law, independence and nationhood from terrorists masquerading as opposition parties or activists. It must never be in doubt that the objective of these rogue Zimbabweans act in cahoots with foreign appendages, supporters and financiers is to stage a resurrection to overthrow our democratically elected Government,” he said. He said the planned demonstration is a threat to the safety and security of the Zimbabweans. “Furthermore in view of the covid19 pandemic, their planned July 31 demonstration is a threat to the safety and security of our people and the people’s right to life. I want to commend leadership and the respective Departments for the visibility and clarity with which the party is articulating our policies and positions,” he said. President Mnangagwa said the planned 31 July 2020 demonstration is connected to the violence and destabilisation that opposition elements have fermented since 2018 including the 1st of August 2018 violence and the 14 to 16 January violent disturbances which led to the loss of life. President Mnangagwa went on to highlight that the Party will defend the country’s sovereignty and independence. “Emboldened and inspired by the upcoming Heroes Day and the Defence Forces Day commemorations, ZANU PF is the people’s Party and will never ever stand by and allow our people to be put in harm's way," President Mnangagwa said. "We will equally defend our independence and sovereignty to the later and not betray the fallen heroes and heroines who paid the supreme sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.”