{UAH} Streets of Zimbabwe lie deserted as 'national shutdown' protest
|
9:09 AM |
No comments |
Streets of Zimbabwe lie deserted as 'national shutdown' protest is called over the country's economic meltdown as organisers warn Mugabe's government worse is to come
- On Wednesday, Zimbabwe businesses closed and people stayed indoors
- Pastor and organiser Evan Mawarire hailed the success of the protest
- Forty people were arrested for blocking roads and disturbing the peace
- President Robert Mugabe told to fire ministers and scrap currency plans
- Other demands: timely civil service pay days and axing police roadblocks
- Shutdown Zimbabwe 2016 movement threatens two-day action next week
By Patrick Lion For Mailonline
Published: 20:59 GMT, 7 July 2016 | Updated: 23:47 GMT, 7 July 2016
Protestors in Zimbabwe are threatening a two-day national shutdown next week after their social media-driven campaign produced extraordinary scenes of deserted streets as most shops and banks closed for the day.
In a bid to force the government to address its economic problems, activists behind Shutdown Zimbabwe 2016 urged citizens to stay indoors and businesses to stop trading on Wednesday in a national 'stay away' day.
The campaign, fronted by the #ThisFlag movement organised by 39-year-old pastor Evan Mawarire, went viral on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp under various hashtags including #ZimShutDown2016.
Scroll down for video
A man walks along empty stalls in Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe. Most workers went on strike after a call by pressure groups for workers to stay at home as a form of peaceful protest as the government has failed to listen to the worker's plight of not being paid for months
Local units of Barclays and Standard Chartered shut their branches in central Harare. Clothing retailers Edgars Stores and Truworths closed stores.
Few vehicles were on the roads of the capital. Supermarkets like Pick'n'Pay, Ok Zimbabwe and Choppies reported little business.
While government departments were open, local private media said Zimbabweans in other major cities had also stayed at home, with most businesses closed.
Siyaso, one of the biggest and oldest informal markets in Mbare township near central Harare, was also shut down.
Zimbabwe last witnessed such a protest in April 2007.
A woman walks along an empty street in the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe
Photographs of deserted streets in the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, were circulated on social media
Another intersection, normally busy on a work day, was almost deserted on Wednesday
Mr Mawarire has demanded that President Robert Mugabe fire corrupt cabinet ministers and scrap plans to introduce local bank notes or face a two-day shut-down next week.
He also wants for government salaries to be paid on time and for police to remove roadblocks which most people say are posts for bribe-taking officers.
Protest organiser Evan Mawarire, who is threatening a two-day shutdown next week after the single day action on Wednesday
'#ShutDownZimbabwe has been a huge success,' Mr Mawarire said on his Facebook page.
'The ball is in your court. We are ready to close down again and this time we will add another day, Wednesday and Thursday. We are not playing and we ask you to take us seriously.'
Mugabe's spokesman, George Charamba, was not available to comment.
Wednesday's protest followed violent clashes between taxi drivers and police on Monday that led to the arrest of 95 people.
It also coincided with a strike by doctors, teachers and nurses whose salaries had been delayed.
A devastating drought has compounded economic hardships including high joblessness in the southern African nation while an acute cash shortage has angered its citizens.
Mr Mawarire started the #ThisFlag campaign in April to protest against corruption, injustice and poverty.
The campaign has attracted thousands of followers who have been speaking out against government excesses.
Zimbabwean man Nyasha posted on social media about the protests.
'We are not abusing social media, we are using it to get rid of those abusing us! #ZimShutDown2016,' he tweeted.
But state telecoms regulator POTRAZ said in a statement it would arrest people sending 'subversive' messages that cause unrest.
A social media post by Zimbabwean man Nyasha featuring a warning from authorities to stop using social media to fuel the national shutdown
Horrifying moment a taxi driver is surrounded by riot cops...
Cecil would be proud! Tragic lion's legacy lives on exactly...Share this article
Mugabe, who has held power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980, was attending a scheduled meeting on Wednesday of his party ZANU-PF's politburo, the party's top executive organ.
Party spokesman Simon Khaya-Moyo declined to say whether ZANU-PF would discuss the protests.
In the volatile township of Mufakose, to the west of Harare, hundreds of youths barricaded roads to keep people from going to work, Reuters witnesses said.
A shopping mall remains closed in Budiriro, Harare, Zimbabwe, during the protests
More than 40 people were arrested across Zimbabwe for blocking roads and disturbing the peace, said Charity Charamba, a police spokeswoman.
Among them was a Belgian tourist held in the resort town of Victoria for unlawful protests, she said, correcting her earlier statement that an Australian had been detained.
There was no need to call out the military, Charamba said.
'The military is not there because in our assessment, for now, the situation has not deteriorated (enough) to warrant the presence of the military.'
A woman walks along an empty street in the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3679703/Streets-Zimbabwe-lie-deserted-national-shutdown-protest-called-country-s-economic-meltdown-organisers-warn-Mugabe-s-government-worse-come.html#ixzz4Dpls76ZZ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
Related Posts:
{UAH} Uganda Athletics Federation suspends coach in alleged sex abuse case- SV: {UAH} Even with rigging, Museveni would not defeat Mbabazi
- {UAH} NICE, NICE, UNDERBART!! THE CONQUERERS OF NERVE BLASTED AGAIN
- {UAH} KAYIHURA AND ARONDA - MUSEVENI'S LEAD POLITICAL ARCHITECTS
{UAH} WE ARE AFRICANS ALL THE WAY TO OUR POCKETS {A white actually walks away !!!!!}
0 comments:
Post a Comment