Banks, schools, businesses and other public services were shut on Tuesday in Zimbabwe, a day after protests over hikes in fuel prices turned deadly.
Citizens decided to stay away from business and other public activities in key cities including Harare and Bulawayo.
At least three deaths were recorded in the agitations over the fuel price hikes. Several people sustained injuries with over 200 arrests made so far.
Police and soldiers were deployed across major cities to prevent further escalation of protests. They were seen patrolling streets.
On Monday night an office belonging to the opposition, MDC was attacked. The attack was carried out after the government accused the MDC of masterminding the protests.
Zimbabwe’s national security minister, Owen Ncube said on Monday that the “prevailing security situation in the country is a culmination of a well orchestrated series of events by the MDC Alliance working in cahoots with NGOs, civic society, youth organisations, pressure groups and individuals.”
He claims there were meetings organised in Zimbabwe 7 last year aimed at fomenting trouble in the country.
“These meetings were coordinated by Crisis Coalition and some identified foreign agents,” Owen Ncube said.
What triggered the protest?
Protests erupted in reaction to hikes in fuel prices announced over the weekend by the government.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced new measures to deal with a deepening fuel shortage crisis in the country.
Those measures include a 100% rise in the price of petrol and diesel.
Petrol prices have now increased from $1.24 a litre to $3.31, with diesel up from $1.36 a litre to $3.1.
President Mnangagwa says the increased prices of petrol and diesel are to help tackle a shortfall caused by increased fuel usage and “rampant” illegal trading.
In response to the measures protesters burnt tyres, barricade roads and blocked buses from carrying passengers at some terminals.
The Zimbabwean government is already struggling to deal with a currency crisis which has brought the economy onto its kneels.
President Mnangagwa who is currently on a state visit to Russia has been accused of failing to handle the crisis properly.
Source: Africafeeds.com
