By James Gwati-Police have intensified patrols in towns and cities following a nationwide shutdown triggered by national protests called by war veteran and former Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza.
The government’s reaction underscores President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s growing fears of public unrest spiraling out of control, reminiscent of the events that led to Robert Mugabe’s ouster in 2017.
On Monday, Harare police fired teargas canisters to disperse protesters, forcing them to flee into nearby streets.
Demonstrators clashed with security forces in running battles, highlighting the growing tension in the country.
The protest effectively shut down major cities, with businesses closed and learners staying home, testifying to its success.
The shutdown was most visible in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, and Chinhoyi, where a heavy police presence underscored the government’s nervousness.
In Harare, anti-riot police violently dispersed protesters near the Harare Magistrates’ Court, firing teargas and engaging in skirmishes with demonstrators who retaliated by hurling stones.
“They attacked us for just standing there. This government fears its people,” said one protester, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The usually bustling urban centers turned eerily silent as most businesses, markets, and vendors shut down, while public transport operators kept their vehicles off the roads, fearing potential violence.
In Bulawayo, the central business district resembled a ghost town, with only a few brave informal traders venturing out.
Schools recorded alarmingly low attendance, as parents kept children at home for safety reasons.
A survey conducted by NewsDay in Bulawayo found that most shops in and outside the central business district were closed. Public transport was scarce, with the few operating kombis increasing fares from R10 to US$1 per trip. Business operators in Emganwini high-density suburb expressed fears of looting and vandalism.
“The situation is tricky; we fear looters. Most people are at home, and no children went to school. We cannot risk our businesses as well,” said a shop owner.
Similar scenes played out in Mutare and Gweru, where students who showed up for school were turned away as teachers failed to report for duty. Some schools in Harare were forced to cancel examinations due to the low turnout.
“I didn’t want to take chances. We’ve seen how protests turn violent,” said Emily, a Harare mother whose two children stayed home.
Despite the evident disruption, government officials downplayed the protest. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) dismissed the demonstrations as insignificant, blaming “a few rogue elements” for the unrest.
“The ZRP reiterates that the situation in Harare CBD is normal and calm, including at Robert Mugabe Square, where some social media sites are falsely claiming that there are people barricading roads with stones,” police posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“This is not correct. The public should ignore calls by individuals and syndicates through some social media sites to engage in unlawful public gathering activities. The police warn social media sites against the circulation of old videos to cause alarm and despondency in the country.”
However, opposition figures and civil society groups declared the protest a success, arguing that the deserted streets sent a strong message to authorities.
The government’s panicked response, with heightened security measures and dismissive rhetoric, reveals its deep-seated fears of an uprising similar to the 2017 coup that toppled Mugabe.
With growing public discontent and worsening economic conditions, Mnangagwa’s administration remains on edge, wary of any signs of a rebellion within the ruling party or the general populace.