Strikes and Protests Bring Zimbabwe’s Capital to a Halt

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/world/africa/zimbabwe-mugabe-protests-harare.html

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HARARE, Zimbabwe — Business in Zimbabwe’s capital and other cities ground to a halt on Wednesday as Zimbabweans stayed home to protest the government’s handling of the deteriorating economy, the latest sign of growing popular discontent with President Robert Mugabe’s 36-year rule.

In two poor townships in the capital, Harare, residents barricaded roads with rocks as they engaged in running battles with the police, who responded with tear gas. In central Harare, scores of police officers in riot gear were guarding Africa Unity Square, a popular gathering place, and other strategic spots. But much of the business district remained deserted, with most stores and banks choosing to close for the day.

The stay-away day, as it was called, was one of the biggest popular protests in years against the 92-year-old Mr. Mugabe, whose increasing frailty has fueled political infighting and instability in this Southern African nation. It followed weeks of mounting popular anger as the government has struggled to pay civil servants, who are the biggest work force in Zimbabwe’s formal economy.

On Wednesday, many civil servants, who have not been paid their June salaries, reported to work after being threatened with dismissal. But most public school teachers and government health care workers, who began striking a day earlier, did not show up for work.

Police officers, members of the military and prison workers are the only government employees who have collected their June salaries. But in an indication of the government’s strained finances, they received their paychecks two weeks late.

Mr. Mugabe and his highest-ranking officials met on Wednesday to discuss a response, though some officials played down the protest’s significance in public comments or on social media.

Still, access to social media like WhatsApp and Twitter was cut off for several hours on Wednesday morning. The government agency that oversees the country’s cellphone providers issued a warning against what it described as “gross irresponsible use of social media and telecommunication services.”

While not addressing the disruption in service on Wednesday, the agency said that those using social media to spread “subversive” messages would be disconnected and arrested.

Supa Mandiwanzira, the minister for information, communication, and technology and courier services, denied that the government had interfered with the social media platforms.

“We cannot shut down social media in complicity with those calling for the shutdown of the country,” Mr. Mandiwanzira said in an interview.

Leaders of the protest, including members of civil society organizations and business groups, have used social media to organize.

“We have called for a complete shutdown of the country today in protest of the government that has completely failed to look after its citizenry‚ and failed to listen to the demands of its citizenry‚” said the Rev. Evan Mawarire, a Pentecostal pastor who rose to national prominence in the past month after starting a Twitter campaign against the government under the hashtag #ThisFlag.

Linda Masarira, the leader of the Zimbabwe Activist Alliance, an umbrella group that recently occupied Africa Unity Square in central Harare for several days and helped organize Wednesday’s protest, said: “What is happening now shows clearly that people here are tired of Mugabe’s rule, and that is why they heeded calls to stay away from work. That is why you see market stalls across the city here virtually empty.”

In recent weeks, popular frustration has grown as the troubled economy has begun directly affecting people’s daily lives. Banks have run out of cash — Zimbabwe has used the American dollar as its currency since 2009 — as people hoard money or take it out of the country because of fear over the country’s political situation.

Violent protests took place near Zimbabwe’s border with South Africa after Mr. Mugabe’s government issued restrictions on the import of certain foreign goods in a bid to stimulate the domestic economy. The move angered traders and many Zimbabweans living in South Africa who ship food and other goods to relatives back home.

Other protesters have targeted one of Mr. Mugabe’s vice presidents, Phelekezela Mphoko, for staying at a luxury hotel for more than a year at a cost of more than $1 million. Mr. Mphoko has refused to move into a government-appointed residence because, according to the local news media, it is not to his taste.

Government officials described the protesters on Wednesday as criminals and said they were backed by opposition parties.

Opposition parties, and even some of Mr. Mugabe’s former allies, have expressed support or sympathy for the protesters, who do not appear to have political links.

Christopher Mutsvangwa, chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who was dismissed as Mr. Mugabe’s minister of war veterans in March, said he understood the protesters’ motivation.

“People are frustrated and angry,” he said. “They see no prospect for prosperity.”