Zimbabwe police deploy to block demonstrations against Mnangagwa

Nelson Banya - Reuters - 01/04
Police deployed heavily in Zimbabwe's capital and other cities on Monday, largely neutralising a call by veterans for massive protests against plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rule.
  • Veterans had called for massive protests
  • Many businesses closed to avoid unrest
  • Police throw teargas on outskirts of Harare
HARARE, March 31 (Reuters) - Police deployed heavily in Zimbabwe's capital and other cities on Monday, largely neutralising a call by veterans for massive protests against plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rule.
Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party said in January it wanted to extend Mnangagwa's term in office by two years until 2030. Mnangagwa, who first came to power in 2017 after his long-term mentor Robert Mugabe was ousted in a coup, is serving his final term.

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Independence war veterans led by Blessed Geza previously supported Mnangagwa but have turned against him, accusing him of seeking to cling to power.
Anticipating possible unrest, businesses barricaded their premises and car dealerships cleared their showrooms over recent days.
Most businesses, schools and vendors across the capital Harare, as well as in the second largest city Bulawayo and other towns, stayed closed, as large numbers of police patrolled the empty streets.
"The situation in the country is peaceful," police said in a statement, ...
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