march had been stopped by the police but the courts eventually gave the nod
in line with the constitution. The protest march happened on July 16.
Harare
The province was a hive of activity during the period under review.
Violations
ranging from unlawful detention, assaults, destruction of property were recorded.
Protests were held in the capital city by different groups who were not happy with the
government over various issues such as the pending introduction of bond notes, SI
64 of 2016 banning the importation of some goods, the implementation of the new
constitution and electoral reforms, police roadblocks, and unemployment.
Highlights
On the morning of 4 July there was no public transport in Epworth following a
strike by public transport operators. The commuter drivers and conductors
were protesting against the numerous police roadblocks. It is reported that the
protestors were singing and blocking traffic on the roads. The commuter
operators were said to have given people notice of the intended strike the
previous day. It was reported that Domboramwari Clinic was closed and
patients were told to return the next day. Munyuki Service Station was also
closed so as not to sell diesel to commuter omnibus operators. The police
threw teargas at everyone in the area of the fighting battles. At around 3pm
there were members of the Zimbabwe National Army who were beating up
people. Skirmishes between the police and citizens were also witnessed in
Mabvuku where roads were barricaded. The police reacted to the protests
with violence which saw citizens in Epworth and Mabvuku being randomly
picked up and ruthlessly assaulted. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
confirms that 104 people were arrested in connection with the protests in
Harare; 51 from Epworth and 53 from Mabvuku. Four of the people arrested in
Harare were children. Dozens of people including two police officers were
injured during the clashes and several vehicles were stoned.
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