Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday called for calm among citizens as protests over hikes in fuel prices continue.
Since Monday Zimbabweans have been protesting the increment in fuel prices announced by the President.
Protests have been violent in parts of the country resulting in some deaths. The security agencies attempt to crack down on protesters has also led to injuries.
Over 200 arrests have been made so far with reports of further arrests and crackdowns taking place on Wednesday.
The Harare based pastor Evan Mawarire who rose to prominence during the Robert Mugabe regime was bundled into a truck by armed police on Wednesday.
His lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said Mawarire is expected to be charged with inciting public violence.
On Tuesday residents in the capital Harare and Bulawayo stayed away from town. Businesses and public service agencies also shut in protest of the fuel crisis.
Act of vandalism?
President Mnangagwa in a statement on his twitter page said he was “deeply saddened” by the ongoing agitations.
He however described the ongoing protests as acts of violence and vandalism.
Several people have been killed and hundreds have been arrested following protests in Zimbabwe over a 150 percent fuel price hike pic.twitter.com/YDhmzYVLnb
— TRT World (@trtworld) January 16, 2019
“As I have said numerous times, everyone in Zimbabwe has the right to express themselves freely – to speak out, to criticise and to protest.
Unfortunately, what we have witnessed is violence and vandalism instead of peaceful, legal protests.”
Mnangagwa further wrote that “There can be no justification for violence, against people and property. Violence will not reform our economy. Violence will not rebuild our nation.”
“What will lead to a stronger economy is investment. That is why I travelled to Moscow, and that is why I will be travelling on to other countries in the region and then the World Economic Forum in Davos,” he added.
We are one nation, with one mission, and we will realise it together. My thoughts on the current situation: pic.twitter.com/EUE5DJiTrE
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) January 16, 2019
Mnangagwa is currently on a state visit to Russia and has been criticized for not prioritizing the concerns back home.
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.
Source: Africafeeds.com
