Zimbabwe crackdown challenged in court, opposition leaders in hiding

[Disir]

HARARE (Reuters) - Legal challenges to a brutal clampdown on dissent by Zimbabwe’s government were set in motion on Monday, as fears that the country is veering back towards authoritarian rule drove some leaders of the main opposition party into hiding.

The fragile state of Zimbabwe’s economy was also in focus as President Emmerson Mnangagwa headed home early from a foreign trip during which he had been expected to pitch for investments, while South Africa said it turned down a request from its neighbor for a $1.2 billion loan last month.

The lawyer for pastor Evan Mawarire, a rights activist, said he would seek bail at the High Court after being charged with subversion. Beatrice Mtetwa said she was unsure when the court would hear the case.

Mawarire is the most prominent of hundreds of people, also including four opposition lawmakers, detained on public order charges on Friday following violent protests last week against a fuel price hike.


Police say three people died during the unrest, but lawyers and human rights groups say evidence suggests at least a dozen were killed while scores were treated for gunshot wounds.
Zimbabwe crackdown challenged in court, opposition leaders in hiding | Reuters

And they are one step away from a civil war.

 

[Panacea]

Emmerson Mnangagwa doubled petrol prices in Zimbabwe which started the unrest, to curb protests he then blacked out the internet but because so many Zimbabweans prepay their electricity online they also had no electricity... fuel on the fire (pun intended)