The demonstration brought together at least 18 opposition parties and civic organisations and was quickly dispersed by police.
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As NPR has reported, Zimbabwean clergyman Evan Mawarire has been at the center of many of those recent protests.
A Zimbabwean judge has ordered police not to interfere with an anti-government demonstration in the capital Friday.
On Friday, opposition groups want the government to ensure the electoral field is fair ahead of presidential and parliamentary votes due in 2018 and does not favour the ruling ZANU-PF party, as well as setting out a roadmap for the ballot. Even after the court cleared the way for the protest, Riot Police continued to tear gas and chase those trying to gather for their demonstration.
Protesters allegedly threw stones and other small objects at police officers, who retaliated by firing warning shots into the air and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
(Picture: AFP)(Picture: AFP)(Picture: AFP)(Picture: AFP)(Picture: AFP)(Picture: AFP) A man covers his face during a protest by opposition youths who were demonstrating against alleged brutality by security agents in the capital Harare, Zimbabwe August 24, 2016.
Violent protests against Mugabe’s rule are a regular occurrence, with demonstrators uniting around #ThisFlag on social media to condemn high unemployment, acute cash shortages and corruption, The Africa Report said.
Opposition leaders gave a news conference where they condemned the brutal repression of the protest and vowed to increase pressure on Mugabe’s regime.
Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo on Thursday accused opposition leaders of being “foreign agents” who were trying to bring about worldwide intervention in Zimbabwe’s affairs.
The controversial ruler said: “We have wasted the country’s money on these rats we call athletes”.
“Today’s brutal suppression of the people will not stop them from exercising their rights as given by the constitution”, MDC-T spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka said in a statement to reporters. Witnesses said people seeking refuge at the Harare Magistrates’ Court were teargassed.
“We heard from a number of Robert Mugabe’s veterans, people who fought with him in the fight for independence from Britain, breaking ranks from him last month and calling him dictatorial, manipulative, and egocentric”.
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As leaders of various political parties under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) we welcome you to this press conference.
