Ever since the start of Zimbabwe's national lockdown, the country has seen protests by activists and healthcare personnel over the country's poor response to Covid-19, and lack of care to the vulnerable in society. The country is facing one of its worst economic crises in more than a decade, marked by inflation running above 700%, acute shortages of foreign currency and public hospitals crippled by strikes and a lack of medicine. Food shortages have also been reported. It’s been further reported that Zimbabwean police have arrested over 105 000 people since March for allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions. Now let’s look back at Friday on the day the planned protests were expected to take place… What happened on 31 July?
On Friday, 31 July, Zimbabwean businesses were closed and streets deserted in the capital Harare early on Friday as security forces increased patrols to stop anti-government protests called by activists over corruption and economic hardship. The president of Zimbabwe Emerson Mnangagwa said they will flush out all the bad apples that have tampered with their country.
To assist us on this topic:
* Dr Ibbo Mandaza: Political Analyst .
* Simon Muchemwa: Channel Africa correspondent in Zimbabwe.
