Zimbabwe police arrest 600 in harsh crackdown on protests

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe police armed with AK-47 rifles detained a prominent activist and pastor on Wednesday, part of more than 600 arrests, in a harsh crackdown over protests against dramatic fuel price hikes in the economically shattered country. A doctors’ group said it had treated more than 60 gunshot wounds in a “human rights crisis.”

State security minister Owen Ncube announced the arrests on television and thanked security forces for “standing firm” in the face of the country’s most serious unrest since deadly post-election violence in August.

While some hungry Harare residents reported being tear-gassed by police when they ventured out for bread, President Emmerson Mnangagwa denounced what he called “wanton violence and cynical destruction.” He noted a right to protest and said he understands the “pain and frustration,” but he appeared to side with authorities who blame the opposition for unrest.

Pastor Evan Mawarire was clutching a Bible when police bundled him into their car in the capital. He famously organized what became nationwide anti-government protests in 2016 against mismanagement and then-president Robert Mugabe’s long stay in power.

“They are alleging that he incited violence through Twitter and other forms of social media,” said Beatrice Mtetwa, the pastor’s lawyer.

There were widespread reports of violence as Zimbabwe faced a third day of protests over what has become the world’s most expensive gasoline.

The country’s largest telecom company, Econet, told customers the government forced it to shut down internet service. “The matter is beyond our control,” it said. Service returned hours later but social media was blocked.

In a recounting of alleged police violence, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said late Wednesday it had treated 68 cases of gunshotwoundsand100-plusother cases of “assaults with sharp objects, booted feet, baton sticks” and more.

Armed police and soldiers broke up groups of more than five people in Harare, while desperation for food forced some people to venture into the streets. But virtually all shops were closed.