Authorities in Zimbabwe have shut down internet in the country as government crackdown on agitations continues.
Zimbabwe’s biggest mobile operator Econet Wireless on Friday confirmed that it had been ordered to shut down internet service.
Econet said in a statement that “We were served with another directive for total shutdown of the internet until further notice.”
The company was ordered to shutdown the internet earlier in the week at the state of protests over fuel price hikes.
Econet said “Our lawyers advised that we are required to comply with the directive pending the court’s decision on its legality.”
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.
Hundreds of arrests have been made so far with reports of further arrests and crackdowns taking place across the country.
Residents in the capital Harare and Bulawayo continue to stay away from town. Businesses and public service agencies have also shut in protest of the fuel crisis.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday called for calm among citizens.
President Mnangagwa in a statement on his twitter page said he was “deeply saddened” by the ongoing agitations.
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He however described the ongoing protests as acts of violence and vandalism. But the security forces are accused of using excessive force in dispersing protesters.
The internet shutdown has been seen as an attempt to prevent the circulation of pictures of some of the excesses.
Source: Africafeeds.com
