HARARE, Zimbabwe – Streets were empty in Zimbabwe’s cities and towns on Friday as the military and police kept a strong presence to thwart an anti-government protest and enforce a coronavirus lockdown.
Organizers say demonstrators originally planned to protest alleged government corruption but are now targeting the ruling political party, ZANU-PF.
Tensions are rising in Zimbabwe as the economy implodes. Inflation is more than 700%, the second highest in the world.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the planned protest as “an insurrection to overthrow our democratically elected government.” He warned that security agents “will be vigilant and on high alert.”
Normally teeming downtown Harare was deserted as soldiers and police patrolled the streets and manned checkpoints. Most people appeared to be staying indoors after security forces on Thursday drove people out of the city and forced businesses to close.
The southern African country had gradually relaxed its virus lockdown to allow for some commercial activity, but it continues to ban protests as part of lockdown rules.
Anti-government protests in Zimbabwe in 2018 and 2019 resulted in the killing of several people, allegedly by the military.
The pandemic has brought a new layer of suffering. (AP)
