UK Calls For Restraint As Security Forces Clear Streets Ahead Of Anti-Govt Protests

United Kingdom Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson has called for restraint as security personnel in the Southern African country cleared the citizenry off the roads on Thursday ahead of anti-government protests pencilled for this Friday.

The protests were called by opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume of Transform Zimbabwe following exposure of grand corruption by government officials and departments. Posting on Twitter, the ambassador said:

Concerned by toughening language on and off social media in Zimbabwe this week following calls for protests on Friday. Call for calm and restraint on all sides.

The governing ZANU PF and government officials – president Mnangagwa, interior minister and police have been warning the citizenry against participating in the “illegal” protests saying the mighty hand of the state will descend upon them if and when they dare to protest.

Some of the organisers – prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Ngarivhume have since been arrested while others have been put on a long list of police’s wanted people.

Previously, the government deployed police and soldiers to thwart protesters. This Saturday marks the second anniversary of the death of scores of opposition activists who were killed by soldiers after thronging to the streets in protest of a disputed presidential election.

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