By Own Correspondent| The High Court is expected to issue a ruling on the legality of the Government’s directive to mobile network operators to shut down all internet operations in the country.

The directive, which saw the shutting down of social media platforms including whatsapp, facebook, twitter and YouTube was effected during last week’s violent demonstrations over fuel price increases.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) sued the government over the internet shutdown and all social media platforms arguing that the move was unconstitutional.

ZLHR executive director Ms Roselyn Hanzi deposed an affidavit contesting the Government’s decision.

“The directive will unnecessarily cost some people significant amounts of money in loss of business and income.

“The drastic measure has also put human lives at risk as telemedicine and financial services such as Diaspora remittances which rely on internet-based communication and banking services have also been affected,” said Ms Hanzi.

The directive, it is argued, infringes on the people’s freedom of expression and freedom of the media as enshrined under Section 61 of the Constitution.