A woman and child pass a fire set alight during a protest in Harare, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The officers then fired teargas and a water cannon when parts of the crowd refused to comply, a Reuters witness reported.
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Under Zimbabwe’s security laws, organizers are required to notify the police of any demonstration seven days before the event, but the police routinely ban protests by the opposition.
“This is a peaceful march, it is not up to the police to choose which demonstration to encourage and which demonstration not to encourage”, opposition spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora told reporters.
“All along, we have been saying these countries and their allies are sponsoring illegal regime change in Zimbabwe over the years through all sorts of machinations with the latest one being these violent protests targeting properties”.
Opposition leaders termed Friday’s march in Harare a “mega-demonstration”.
Police would not allow protesters to gather, despite court protection.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) but the party’s youth secretary for home affairs, James Chidhakwa, said they were not involved in the looting and destruction of property. “We will let you know once we are done”, she said.
The US embassy has warned its citizens to avoid areas where demonstrations are likely ahead of a large protest planned by Zimbabwe opposition parties for Harare on Friday.
He noted that Zimbabwe had see months of protests against alleged human rights abuses and the deterioration of the economy under the 92-year-old president, who had ruled Zimbabwe since 1980.
Police used teargas and water cannon on Wednesday to break-up a march by MDC youth supporters, who were protesting against economic woes and what they say is brutality by security agents.
As a outcome, the capital city’s usually bustling central business district was quiet and clear of the hordes of street vendors who usually litter the pavements, while many shops opted to close their doors in fear of riots. Other police have mounted roadblocks on roads leading into the city. At the crowded Copacabana market, stalls were burned as protesters clashed with a group that was chanting pro-government slogans.
Tear gas blew into the annual agricultural fair, forcing officials to temporarily close the gates.
President Robert Mugabe can also not escape blame because he has in the past encouraged this sort of criminal behaviour and as the appointing authority must take full responsibility for the actions of his appointees.
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Angry protesters engaged in running battles with the overzealous police officers on the streets, hurling stones at the cops and burning tyres.
