Protesting against the government in Zimbabwe is so much unwelcomed and with Mugabe no longer in power to challenge the freedom of the citizens does not make it any better for them.
Zimbabweans are mad over triple-digit inflation, rolling power cuts and shortages of US dollars, fuel, and bread, bringing back memories of the hyperinflation a decade ago that forced the country to ditch its currency. But the police have banned an anti-government demonstration planned for Monday by the country’s main opposition party claiming it would likely result in public disorder.
A similar demonstration planned by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Harare on Friday was disrupted by opposition supporters from the capital’s streets with tear gas and dozens of people were arrested as they accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of repression and mismanagement.
“Ordinary citizens in the country are experiencing hardships so any call for the demonstrations might be taken advantage of by the already agitated citizens and violence may erupt,” the police said in a notice banning the demonstration.
Undeterred the movement’s leaders said that they will continue to mobilize against the government but all means avoid blood in the streets. In a country tainted with a long history of repression under Mugabe’s 40 years reign of terror, these demonstrations are viewed as a test of Mnangagwa’s willingness to tolerate dissent but opponents say he has failed to make good on promises of political and economic reform.
More than a dozen people were killed in a similar operation on a crackdown in Harare against fuel demonstrations, last year.
