Zimbabwe imposes "total Internet closure" following violent crackdown on fuel price protests

The Zimbabwean government has once again imposed a "total shutdown of the Internet," a media group said after a violent, multi-day crackdown on people protesting dramatic increases in the price of gas.

MISA-Zimbabwe shared an SMS sent by Econet, the country's largest telecommunications company, calling the government's decision "beyond our reasonable control". The closure will face a court challenge from Zimbabwe's group and lawyers for human rights.

Friday, the famous pastor and activist Evan Mawarire, who faces 20 years in prison on charges of subversion, is scheduled to appear in court, making him one of 600 arrested this week.

Mr Mawarire called it "heartbreaking" to see President Emmerson Mnangagwa's new government behave like that of former leader Robert Mugabe. Mr. Mawarire is accused of inciting civil disobedience online.

"Our country is going through one of the most difficult times in its history," the Zimbabwean Catholic Bishops' Conference said in a general statement deploring the "intolerant treatment of the government's protest" and its inability to put an end to it. economic collapse.

International calls for restraint by Zimbabwean security forces are on the rise as Mnangagwa prepares for more investment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He announced an increase in fuel prices on the eve of his trip abroad, leaving the former president and chief of the army and vice president Constantino Chiwenga the functions of acting president .

Gasoline in this economically shattered country is now the most expensive in the world. Zimbabweans listened to a national call at home earlier this week in protest. Rights groups and others have accused security forces of targeting trade union activists and leaders, with the United States expressing alarm.

The Zimbabwean Association of Physicians for Human Rights reported handling 68 cases of gunshot wounds and more than 100 other "badaults with sharp objects, kicked feet, batons," and so on. Hungry residents of the capital, Harare, who have been out foraging said they were gbaded by the police.

Reports on the number of deaths have varied. According to Amnesty International, eight people were killed when police and army fired on crowds, while the Zimbabwean government killed three people, including a policeman who was stoned by an angry mob.

The protests constitute "terrorism," said Minister of Information Monica Mutsvangwa, accusing the opposition. Public Security Minister Owen Ncube thanked the security forces for their "firmness".

Zimbabweans briefly rejoiced when Mr. Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe, who was forced to leave his post at the end of 2017, thinking that the new president would hold out that the country "was open to business. ". But frustration has increased over the lack of improvement in the collapsed economy, which does not even have its own currency.

British Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin has summoned the Zimbabwean ambbadador to discuss "disturbing reports of the use of live ammunition, intimidation and excessive force" against protesters.

The European Union said in a statement on Thursday that "the use of force was excessive by security personnel" and urged that Internet service be restored.

Associated press