President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday vowed to crush planned opposition protests on Friday, claiming that the opposition was planning an “insurrection” against his regime.
Mnangagwa labelled organisers of the protests “terrorists”, echoing a label attached on the main opposition MDC Alliance by his Zanu PF party’s spokesman on Monday.
MDC Alliance deputy president Tendai Biti told journalists in Harare that Mnangagwa’s plan was to “liquidate” their party as his government comes under pressure over a deepening economic crisis and the erosion of salaries by hyperinflation, which was over 700 percent in June.
Police last week arrested Jacob Ngarivhume, the main organiser of the July 31 protest and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, accusing them of inciting violence by agitating for the protests on Twitter. The two men deny the charges.
Speaking at a meeting of the Zanu PF Politburo in Harare, Mnangagwa said: “This meeting is being held against the backdrop of a threat to our democracy, constitutionalism, rule of law, independence and nationhood from terrorists masquerading as opposition parties and activists.
“It must never be in doubt that the objective of these rogue Zimbabweans acting in cahoots with foreign appendages, supporters and financiers is to stage an insurrection and overthrow our democratically elected government.”
Citing the Covid-19 pandemic, Mnangagwa said the planned demonstrations were “a threat to the safety and security of our people, and people’s right to life.”
He added: “The planned insurrection is connected to the violence and destabilisation that opposition elements have fomented since 2018, including the August 1, 2018, violence and the January 2019 disturbances which led to the loss of lives.
“Emboldened and inspired by the upcoming Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations, Zanu PF as the people’s party will never ever stand by and allow our people to be put in harm’s way. We will equally defend our independence and sovereignty to the letter, and not betray the fallen heroes and heroines who paid the supreme sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
He warned organisers of the “ill-fated” protests that “security services will be vigilant and on high alert to appropriately response to their shenanigans”, while urging Zimbabweans to “shun these malcontents and reject their divisive, ruinous plan.”
Rejecting predictions of an economic implosion by his political rivals and economists, Mnangagwa claimed that his government “continues to make notable strides in fulfilling our election promises.”
Biti, addressing a news conference in Harare, said the MDC Alliance supported the right of citizens to protest, accusing Mnangagwa of using Covid-19 to criminalise criticism of his regime.
“We’re calling for the restoration of the constitution as a matter of urgency. Covid-19 has allowed this regime through the back door to impose a de facto state of emergency. Everyone’s rights have been suspended,” Biti said.
“We support the rights of the citizens who have organised July 31, 2020. We support their constitutional right to embark on a peaceful, constitutional protest against the regime codified in section 59 of the constitution of Zimbabwe. We reject the fascist response by the regime. A responsible government would have asked for dialogue with the organisers, but this regime is unique… it is violent and impervious to logic.”
Biti accused Mnangagwa and Zanu PF of “attempts to convert July 31 into a bloodletting affair”, insisting that there was nothing that the planners had said which intimated that they wanted a violent demonstration.
The MDC Alliance says scores of its activists have been abducted and beaten by state security agents in recent days, while dozens of others including unionists have been forced to flee their homes to escape a crackdown to suppress the protests.
“They’re being hounded as if they are common criminals. They’re all in hiding, being hounded by a predatory, thugocratic state led by Emmerson Mnangagwa. We’re concerned particularly at the concerted effort to liquidate the MDC Alliance. We take great exception to the description of our party as a terrorist organisation,” Biti said.
“We’re a legitimate, constitutional organisation that many years ago in 1999 took the bold decision to achieve democratic change in Zimbabwe through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means. Despite Zanu PF’s seduction, despite Zanu PF’s temptation we have refused and resisted the common formula on the African continent of going to the hills and calling yourself a rebel movement. We’ve remained loyal to the principle of constitutional, democratic change.
“If anything, it’s Zanu PF itself that is a terrorist organisation. It’s a terrorist organisation that abducts people. If you have any doubts about that, talk to Mrs Itai Dzamara right now she doesn’t know where her husband is, talk to Mrs Patrick Nabanyama right now she doesn’t know where her husband is, talk to Joana Mamombe, talk to Netsai Marova, talk to Cecelia Chimbiri and they will provide you with evidence of the brutality and the terrorist nature of Zanu PF. Talk to the family of Herbert Chitepo, Josiah Tongogara and General Mujuru… they will bear witness to how terrorist an organisation Zanu PF
Info News
Best Cloud Backup Solutions for Law Firms in 2026
Law firms are becoming major cyberattack targets.
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Why?
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Because legal firms store extremely sensitive information.
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Client contracts. Financial records. Litigation strategies. Corporate merger documents. Confidential communications.
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One ransomware attack can lock critical files and completely disrupt operations.
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That’s why more firms are investing heavily in the best cloud backup solutions for law firms in 2026.
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The old approach of storing files on a single local server is becoming dangerously outdated.
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Why Law Firms Face Unique Cybersecurity Risks
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Legal practices operate differently from many other businesses.
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Attorneys often work remotely, exchange confidential documents constantly, and manage enormous amounts of private client information.
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That creates multiple attack surfaces.
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Cybercriminals know:
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rn - Law firms hold valuable data
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rn - Downtime creates pressure to pay ransoms quickly
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The risks continue growing every year.
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What Makes a Strong Cloud Backup Solution?
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Not every backup platform provides real protection.
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Some systems create a dangerous false sense of security.
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Experienced IT teams evaluate several critical areas.
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Immutable Backups
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Immutable storage prevents attackers from altering or deleting backup files.
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This matters enormously during ransomware attacks.
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Without immutable backups, attackers may encrypt both primary systems and backup copies.
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That leaves businesses trapped.
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Geographic Redundancy
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Strong backup systems store data across multiple locations.
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If one data center fails, systems can still recover quickly.
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Law firms handling high-value litigation often require advanced redundancy protections.
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Encryption Standards
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Client confidentiality matters.
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Cloud backup providers should offer:
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Weak security practices can create massive legal liability.
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Compliance Requirements for Legal Firms
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Law firms increasingly face compliance obligations involving:
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rn - Client confidentiality
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Cloud providers must align with these requirements.
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Choosing the cheapest solution without compliance review can become a major mistake.
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Common Backup Mistakes Law Firms Make
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Some firms assume cloud synchronization automatically equals backup.
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That assumption creates problems.
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If ransomware encrypts synchronized files, corrupted versions may spread instantly across systems.
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Other common mistakes include:
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rn - Failing to test backups regularly
rn - Weak password management
rn - Limited employee cybersecurity training
rn - No incident response planning
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Technology alone is never enough.
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Why Managed Backup Services Are Growing
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Many law firms now outsource backup management to specialized providers.
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Managed services may help with:
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rn - Continuous monitoring
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That expertise becomes valuable during serious cyber incidents.
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Final Takeaway
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The best cloud backup solutions for law firms in 2026 combine security, redundancy, compliance support, and rapid recovery capabilities.
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Law firms can no longer treat backups as a simple IT task.
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Data protection has become essential for business continuity, client trust, and long-term operational survival.
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FAQ
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Why are law firms targeted by ransomware attacks?
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Law firms store highly sensitive data and often face pressure to restore systems quickly.
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What is immutable backup storage?
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Immutable storage prevents backup files from being altered or deleted.
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Are cloud backups enough for cybersecurity?
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No. Businesses also need strong access controls, employee training, and incident response planning.
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Cybersecurity Software For Small Business: What To Look For
Small businesses are major targets for cyberattacks. Hackers know that many small companies do not have large IT teams, advanced security tools, or strong employee training. One successful attack can cause data loss, downtime, legal costs, and customer trust problems.
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Cybersecurity software helps protect business devices, data, email, networks, and users from threats such as malware, ransomware, phishing, and unauthorized access.
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Small businesses should start with endpoint protection. This protects laptops, desktops, and servers from viruses, suspicious behavior, and malicious files.
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Email security is also important because many attacks begin with phishing emails. A good security solution can help block dangerous links, fake login pages, and infected attachments.
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Ransomware protection is another key feature. Ransomware locks business files and demands payment. Strong cybersecurity software may detect unusual file activity and stop the attack before major damage occurs.
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Businesses should also use multi-factor authentication. This adds another layer of protection beyond passwords. Even if a password is stolen, attackers may not be able to access the account without the second verification step.
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Cloud backup is another important part of cybersecurity. If files are deleted, encrypted, or corrupted, backups can help restore operations.
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When choosing cybersecurity software, look for easy management, automatic updates, threat detection, reporting, support, and compatibility with your devices.
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Small businesses should also train employees. Software helps, but employees must know how to spot suspicious emails, avoid unsafe downloads, and use strong passwords.
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Cybersecurity is not optional anymore. A single cyberattack can cost more than prevention. The right software can help small businesses protect their data, customers, and reputation.
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