Last Friday, there were skirmishes at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe over new legislation which restricts the influx of imported goods into Zimbabwe.
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He slammed what he said were falsehoods circulated on social media, including claims that a 7pm curfew had been imposed on the country.
“Any person caught in possession of, generating sharing or passing on abusive, threatening, subversive or offensive telecommunication messages that may be deemed to cause despondency, incite violence and cause unrest will be arrested”, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe said.
Many shops and businesses in the capital Harare closed their doors, residents complained that social media services such as WhatsApp appeared to have been blocked, possibly by the government.
“Being a police officer has become brisk business in our country where individuals have become filthy rich in a short space of time”, said Mahiya.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says it fears the country to implode.
In early March, the government agreed to major reforms including compensation for evicted white farmers and a big reduction in public sector wages in an effort to woo back worldwide lenders.
A protest by Zimbabwean taxi drivers against a police crackdown turned violent when residents joined in and hurled rocks at police, who fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the rioters.
“We have cash shortages in Zimbabwe now because the government has been overspending over the years”, Mawarire noted.
In a video statement, also aired by Zimbabwe’s largest private daily newspaper, News Day, Mawarire urged his fellow countrymen to stay indoors tomorrow in protest over government’s failure to deal with corruption, create jobs and stabilize the economy.
Police deployed again on Tuesday in two of the townships that saw violence on Monday, but the situation was calmer.
The protests came ahead of a call for a strike today by doctors and teachers at government hospitals and schools. Reports suggest the military and the police force have now been paid their June salaries, whereas nurses and teachers are to receive their dues between July 7-14.
Civil servants and activists encouraged people to stay home in a national non-violent protest against corruption‚ the crumbling economy and delayed payment of civil servant salaries.
The protesters had meanwhile halted vehicles in the roadways, blocking the highway, forcing many to walk miles to get to work.
He said government should carry out its duties and obligations in line with the constitution of the country, as well as the worldwide treaties and protocols that Zimbabwe was signatory to.
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The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said at least 163 people were arrested across the country on Wednesday.
