Zimbabwe police ban protests against new tax, citing cholera
The opposition has accused law officers of selectively applying the ban in favour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa supporters
Harare — Zimbabwe police will stop planned protests by the labour movement against a new tax on money transfers on Thursday because of a standing order outlawing public gatherings in the capital following a cholera outbreak, its spokesperson has said. The opposition has accused law officers of selectively applying the ban, saying supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa have been allowed to hold rallies in the capital while those for the opposition have been stopped. With post-election turmoil two months ago in mind, the government appears resolved to keep a lid on demonstrations in opposition urban strongholds fearing they could spiral into violence, analysts say. Six people died in that violence which followed an army crackdown. Although the labour movement has been weakened over the years due to high unemployment, it still maintains strong links with the opposition MDC, whose supporters would be likely to take part in the protests. Fifty people have died and more than 10,000 ha...
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