‘Total internet shutdown’ amid Zimbabwe fuel price protests

ZIMBABWEANS faced a “total internet shutdown” after a violent crackdown on people protesting against a dramatic rise in fuel prices.

Badly injured people streamed into a hospital in the capital Harare after alleged assaults by security forces.

“Our country is going through one of the most trying periods in its history,” the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference said in a statement lamenting the government’s “intol- erant handling of dissent” and its failure to halt economic collapse.

Media group MISA-Zimbabwe shared a text message from the country’s largest telecom company, Econet, calling the government’s internet order “beyond our reasonable control”.

The High Court will hear a challenge to the shutdown on Monday, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said. A prominent pastor and activist who faces a possible 20 years in prison on a subversion charge arrived at court, one of more than 600 people arrested this week.

Evan Mawarire has called it “heartbreaking” to see the new government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa acting like that of former leader Robert Mugabe.

Mawarire is accused of inciting civil disobedience online. “It’s a shame what’s happening,” he said.

International calls for restraint by Zimbabwe’s security forces are grow- ing, while Mr Mnangagwa prepares to plead for more investment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

He announced the fuel price increase on the eve of his overseas trip, leaving hardline former military commander and vice president Constantino Chiwenga as acting president.

Petrol in the economically shattered country is now among the most expensive in the world.

Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi Armed police outside the residence of Evan Mawarire, who was arrested after mobilising people to protest against the hike in fuel prices