Zimbabwean wildlife authorities are investigating the deaths of 12 elephants last week in a forest north of the country's famed Hwange National Park, an official said Sunday.

Video: Zimbabwe probes deaths of 12 elephants near Hwange park

Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops and the law society have criticised the government for alleged human rights abuses and a crackdown on dissent, adding to growing concerns over authorities' treatment of opponents amid a worsening economic crisis.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government swiftly hit back, saying the "evil" accusations were baseless.

Inflation running at more than 800% is the clearest sign of the worst economic crisis in over a decade and has evoked memories of hyperinflation under Robert Mugabe, whose 37-year rule was ended by an army coup in 2017.

The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference said in a pastoral letter that the country had a multi-layered crisis, including economic collapse, deepening poverty, corruption and human rights abuses.

"Fear runs down the spine of many of our people today. The crackdown on dissent is unprecedented," the bishops said in the letter, read out at Catholic churches on Sunday.

"Is this the Zimbabwe we want? To have a different opinion does not mean to be an enemy."

In response, information minister Monica Mutsvangwa criticised the head of the bishops conference, Archbishop Robert Ndlovu, and described the pastoral letter as an "evil message" meant to stoke a "Rwanda-type genocide".

"His (Ndlovu's) transgressions acquire a geopolitical dimension as the chief priest of the agenda of regime change that is the hallmark of the post-imperial major Western powers for the last two decades," Mutsvangwa said in a statement.

Critics accuse Mnangagwa, Mugabe's former deputy, of resorting to authoritarian tactics like those seen under his predecessor. Like Mugabe, Mnangagwa says Western countries are funding the opposition to topple his government.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe said in a statement that the human rights situation was deteriorating and that lawyers were also under attack from government agents.

"The law society further condemns the abduction and torture of citizens across the country by state security agents and individuals allegedly unknown but aligned to the state," it said.

Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops and the law society have criticised the government for alleged human rights abuses and a crackdown on dissent, adding to growing concerns over authorities' treatment of opponents amid a worsening economic crisis.

Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops and the law society have criticised the government for alleged human rights abuses and a crackdown on dissent, adding to growing concerns over authorities' treatment of opponents amid a worsening economic crisis. President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government swiftly hit back, saying the "evil" accusations were baseless. Inflation running at more than 800% is the clearest sign of the worst economic crisis in over a decade and has evoked memories of hyperinflation under Robert Mugabe, whose 37-year rule was ended by an army coup in 2017. The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference said in a pastoral letter that the country had a multi-layered crisis, including economic collapse, deepening poverty, corruption and human rights abuses. "Fear runs down the spine of many of our people today. The crackdown on dissent is unprecedented," the bishops said in the letter, read out at Catholic churches on Sunday. "Is this the Zimbabwe we want? To have a different opinion does not mean to be an enemy." In response, information minister Monica Mutsvangwa criticised the head of the bishops conference, Archbishop Robert Ndlovu, and described the pastoral letter as an "evil message" meant to stoke a "Rwanda-type genocide". "His (Ndlovu's) transgressions acquire a geopolitical dimension as the chief priest of the agenda of regime change that is the hallmark of the post-imperial major Western powers for the last two decades," Mutsvangwa said in a statement. Critics accuse Mnangagwa, Mugabe's former deputy, of resorting to authoritarian tactics like those seen under his predecessor. Like Mugabe, Mnangagwa says Western countries are funding the opposition to topple his government. The Law Society of Zimbabwe said in a statement that the human rights situation was deteriorating and that lawyers were also under attack from government agents. "The law society further condemns the abduction and torture of citizens across the country by state security agents and individuals allegedly unknown but aligned to the state," it said.

Zimbabwe Catholic bishops, lawyers criticise alleged government abuses

The shooting of two Zimbabwean workers shows the "systematic and widespread" abuse that locals experience in Chinese mining operations, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Society (ZELA) said, reported CNN.&nbsp;

The remarks came amid the nationwide anger, with the nation's biggest labour representative association, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union, saying there is a history of Chinese nationals ill-treating their workers and the union would not fold its arms as these incidents continue.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-human-rights-activists-stage-protest-against-chinas-attack-at-india-309287">Japan: Human rights activists stage protest against China's attack at India</a>

Last Sunday, a Chinese miner shot two workers after they demanded their outstanding dues in Gweru province, in central Zimbabwe.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-sent-martial-artists-to-india-border-before-deadly-clash-report-309116#:~:text=China%20reinforced%20its%20troops%20near,this%20month%2C%20state%20media%20reported.&amp;text=India%20said%20Thursday%20that%20it,a%20similar%20buildup%20by%20China.">China sent martial artists to India border before deadly clash: Report</a>

Miner Kenneth Tachiona confronted Zhang Xuen after the latter refused to pay the dues in US dollars, according to an affidavit submitted in the court.&nbsp;

Tachiona charged towards Zhang, who pulled out his gun and shot Tachiona three times on his right thigh and two times on the left.&nbsp;

Police shot that Zhang also fired another round at workers and one of the bullets grazed the chin of another employee.

Both the victims are being treated in a private hospital and Zhang has been charged with attempted murder.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Chinese embassy expressed its concern over what it describes as an "isolated incident" and said it would support an independent and transparent probe by Zimbabwean law enforcement authorities.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The shooting of two Zimbabwean workers shows the "systematic and widespread" abuse that locals experience in Chinese mining operations, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Society (ZELA) said, reported CNN.

The shooting of two Zimbabwean workers shows the "systematic and widespread" abuse that locals experience in Chinese mining operations, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Society (ZELA) said, reported CNN. The remarks came amid the nationwide anger, with the nation's biggest labour representative association, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union, saying there is a history of Chinese nationals ill-treating their workers and the union would not fold its arms as these incidents continue. Also read | Japan: Human rights activists stage protest against China's attack at India Last Sunday, a Chinese miner shot two workers after they demanded their outstanding dues in Gweru province, in central Zimbabwe. Also read | China sent martial artists to India border before deadly clash: Report Miner Kenneth Tachiona confronted Zhang Xuen after the latter refused to pay the dues in US dollars, according to an affidavit submitted in the court. Tachiona charged towards Zhang, who pulled out his gun and shot Tachiona three times on his right thigh and two times on the left. Police shot that Zhang also fired another round at workers and one of the bullets grazed the chin of another employee. Both the victims are being treated in a private hospital and Zhang has been charged with attempted murder. Earlier, the Chinese embassy expressed its concern over what it describes as an "isolated incident" and said it would support an independent and transparent probe by Zimbabwean law enforcement authorities.

Chinese boss shooting Zimbabwean workers shows 'systematic abuse': Watchdog

&nbsp;Zimbabwe Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested by police on Friday over allegations of corruption in government procurement of around $60 million worth of medical equipment, the Daily News newspaper reported.

Several other Zimbabwean and South African news outlets reported the arrest. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the arrest with authorities in Harare.

Last week Delish Nguwaya, said to be a local representative of international pharmaceutical firm Drax International, the company supplying the equipment to the government, was arrested over the same deal, according to the state-owned Zimbabwe broadcasting Commission.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from long time leader Robert Mugabe after a military coup in 2017, has since cancelled the procurement deals.

In addition to the novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 500 people and caused four deaths, Zimbabwe is facing worst economic crisis in more than a decade and increasing public anger over inadequate services and government corruption.

Zimbabwe Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested by police on Friday over allegations of corruption in government procurement of around $60 million worth of medical equipment, the Daily News newspaper reported.

Zimbabwe Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested by police on Friday over allegations of corruption in government procurement of around $60 million worth of medical equipment, the Daily News newspaper reported. Several other Zimbabwean and South African news outlets reported the arrest. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the arrest with authorities in Harare. Last week Delish Nguwaya, said to be a local representative of international pharmaceutical firm Drax International, the company supplying the equipment to the government, was arrested over the same deal, according to the state-owned Zimbabwe broadcasting Commission. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from long time leader Robert Mugabe after a military coup in 2017, has since cancelled the procurement deals. In addition to the novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 500 people and caused four deaths, Zimbabwe is facing worst economic crisis in more than a decade and increasing public anger over inadequate services and government corruption.

Zimbabwe health minister arrested over $60 million COVID-19 supplies scandal

Martha Kahari was already struggling to make ends meet after Zimbabwe's coronavirus lockdown forced her to stop selling second-hand clothes and tomatoes at the side of the road in the capital Harare.

Then the council came to tear down her stall.&nbsp;

Since April, local authorities in Zimbabwe's major cities have demolished thousands of illegally built structures that vendors like Kahari use to sell their wares, in what authorities have said is an effort to legitimise informal trade in the city.&nbsp;

With her stall destroyed, the 40-year-old disabled mother of two has given up hope of being able to afford rent or pay back the money she borrowed to buy the stock she planned to sell once the lockdown was lifted.

"If I don't settle the loan soon, they will come and take my goods," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/zimbabwe-president-says-currency-under-attack-as-prices-spiral-304926" hreflang="en">Zimbabwe president says currency under attack as prices spiral</a>

"Because I've been deprived of income, I have to live in one room at my in-laws' with my two children and my property. We have no money for food and no one is helping us."

Vendors and informal workers' groups in Zimbabwe say that city officials, with the support of the national government, are exploiting the lockdown to destroy makeshift shops and market stalls while their owners are observing stay-at-home orders.

Oliver Chidawu, minister of state for Harare, and the city's mayor Herbert Gomba said in a joint statement in April that they had "noted with concern the anxiety that has gripped players in the informal sector" since the demolitions began.

The aim of the operation was to remove illegal businesses and ensure that cities are "clean, orderly and well-managed" while also making sure councils don't lose out on potential revenue, they said.

Crackdowns on informal traders, who make up more than three-quarters of the country's population, according to the Informal Economy Traders Association, are a frequent occurrence in Zimbabwe.&nbsp;

The last major wave of demolitions happened early last year, when about 2,500 stalls were torn down in Harare and Chitungwiza, a town about 30km (19 miles) south of the capital.

Samuel Wadzai, executive director of the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET), a union based in Harare, said the current operation has destroyed the livelihoods of more than 3 million vendors.

Having already gone without income since the southern African nation went into lockdown on March 30, many vendors lost essential stock and prized possessions when their stalls were destroyed, Wadzai said.

"Our members lost merchandise and property worth millions of dollars in the nationwide blitz," he said.

Vendors' rights advocates note that with Zimbabwe in the grips of an economic crisis that has seen soaring food prices and food shortages, vendors have spent any savings they had on feeding their families.

Now they will have no place to work from and no way to buy new stock once the lockdown is lifted, Wadzai said.

HAWKING FROM HOME

To survive, some vendors have turned to social media to ask for money and food donations, while others are hawking from their homes.

Bidnock Kunaka, 55, had two stalls - one in Kuwadzana suburb where he lives and another in central Harare - from which he sold various commodities, ranging from fruits and vegetables to hardware.

Because he was home observing lockdown rules, he learned about the demolitions from media reports and fellow vendors.

When he finally had the chance to check on his stall in Kuwadzana, he found only the shell left. Vendors were given no warnings that the demolitions were coming, Kunaka said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/virus-gods-punishment-of-west-zimbabwe-minister-286515" hreflang="en">Virus 'god's punishment' of west: Zimbabwe minister</a>

"I can't put food on the table now. The cash I had set aside to stock the business, we have exhausted on food and other household needs," said the father of four.

Without that working capital, Kunaka, who became a vendor in 2016 after losing his job as a factory worker, said it will be impossible to restart his business after the lockdown.

Instead, he has turned a portion of the land at his house into a market garden, where he is growing carrots, onions and leaf greens.

"I'm hoping from the garden I will manage to generate income to feed the family and to start vending again," he said.

DESIGNATED SPACES

Wadzai at VISET said the criminalisation of vendors and the demolition of their stalls goes against the state's responsibility to promote small businesses.

City officials have promised to accommodate vendors in approved spaces that will be designated for use by market vendors once the lockdown is lifted.

"The city of Harare and other local authorities are already in the process of identifying and preparing alternate workplaces for informal traders," Chidawu and Gomba said in their joint statement.&nbsp;

But Wadzai said the committees deciding how to allocate and use those spaces had not reached out to any vendors or informal workers' unions for their input.

"It is not fair for the authorities to take advantage of COVID-19 lockdown to attack the livelihoods of people and without any consultation," he said over the phone.

&nbsp;

'VENDORS ARE DYING'

While the Zimbabwean government has begun easing some lockdown measures to allow commerce and industry to slowly restart, the informal sector is still prohibited from operating.

Simon Masanga, the permanent secretary for social welfare, said in May the government began distributing 180 Zimbabwean dollars ($7.20) per month to more than 2,000 people who had been affected by the lockdown and the clampdown on vendors.&nbsp;

The goal is to scale up to 1 million beneficiaries, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, adding that registering vendors for financial aid was a slow process due to lockdown measures.

Vendors' rights groups like the Informal Economy Traders Association have described the payments as "paltry", saying they barely cover a family's most basic needs.

A family of five in Zimbabwe needs about 7,500 Zimbabwean dollars (about $300) per month to cover their basic needs, according to figures reported by Zimstat, the national statistics agency, in April.&nbsp;

"We are not saying this money is enough to meet basic requirements, but it will go a long way in assisting someone who does not have any money in their pocket," Masanga said in response to the criticisms.

If the government wants to help vendors recover from both the impacts of the pandemic and the loss of their stalls, it should ease the informal trading sector out of lockdown and put a rush on aid payments, Wadzai said.

"The government needs to speedily disburse funds to cushion those vulnerable," he said.

"It's taking too long. Vendors are literally dying of hunger."

Martha Kahari was already struggling to make ends meet after Zimbabwe's coronavirus lockdown forced her to stop selling second-hand clothes and tomatoes at the side of the road in the capital Harare.

Martha Kahari was already struggling to make ends meet after Zimbabwe's coronavirus lockdown forced her to stop selling second-hand clothes and tomatoes at the side of the road in the capital Harare. Then the council came to tear down her stall. Since April, local authorities in Zimbabwe's major cities have demolished thousands of illegally built structures that vendors like Kahari use to sell their wares, in what authorities have said is an effort to legitimise informal trade in the city. With her stall destroyed, the 40-year-old disabled mother of two has given up hope of being able to afford rent or pay back the money she borrowed to buy the stock she planned to sell once the lockdown was lifted. "If I don't settle the loan soon, they will come and take my goods," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Also read: Zimbabwe president says currency under attack as prices spiral "Because I've been deprived of income, I have to live in one room at my in-laws' with my two children and my property. We have no money for food and no one is helping us." Vendors and informal workers' groups in Zimbabwe say that city officials, with the support of the national government, are exploiting the lockdown to destroy makeshift shops and market stalls while their owners are observing stay-at-home orders. Oliver Chidawu, minister of state for Harare, and the city's mayor Herbert Gomba said in a joint statement in April that they had "noted with concern the anxiety that has gripped players in the informal sector" since the demolitions began. The aim of the operation was to remove illegal businesses and ensure that cities are "clean, orderly and well-managed" while also making sure councils don't lose out on potential revenue, they said. Crackdowns on informal traders, who make up more than three-quarters of the country's population, according to the Informal Economy Traders Association, are a frequent occurrence in Zimbabwe. The last major wave of demolitions happened early last year, when about 2,500 stalls were torn down in Harare and Chitungwiza, a town about 30km (19 miles) south of the capital. Samuel Wadzai, executive director of the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET), a union based in Harare, said the current operation has destroyed the livelihoods of more than 3 million vendors. Having already gone without income since the southern African nation went into lockdown on March 30, many vendors lost essential stock and prized possessions when their stalls were destroyed, Wadzai said. "Our members lost merchandise and property worth millions of dollars in the nationwide blitz," he said. Vendors' rights advocates note that with Zimbabwe in the grips of an economic crisis that has seen soaring food prices and food shortages, vendors have spent any savings they had on feeding their families. Now they will have no place to work from and no way to buy new stock once the lockdown is lifted, Wadzai said. HAWKING FROM HOME To survive, some vendors have turned to social media to ask for money and food donations, while others are hawking from their homes. Bidnock Kunaka, 55, had two stalls - one in Kuwadzana suburb where he lives and another in central Harare - from which he sold various commodities, ranging from fruits and vegetables to hardware. Because he was home observing lockdown rules, he learned about the demolitions from media reports and fellow vendors. When he finally had the chance to check on his stall in Kuwadzana, he found only the shell left. Vendors were given no warnings that the demolitions were coming, Kunaka said. Also read: Virus 'god's punishment' of west: Zimbabwe minister "I can't put food on the table now. The cash I had set aside to stock the business, we have exhausted on food and other household needs," said the father of four. Without that working capital, Kunaka, who became a vendor in 2016 after losing his job as a factory worker, said it will be impossible to restart his business after the lockdown. Instead, he has turned a portion of the land at his house into a market garden, where he is growing carrots, onions and leaf greens. "I'm hoping from the garden I will manage to generate income to feed the family and to start vending again," he said. DESIGNATED SPACES Wadzai at VISET said the criminalisation of vendors and the demolition of their stalls goes against the state's responsibility to promote small businesses. City officials have promised to accommodate vendors in approved spaces that will be designated for use by market vendors once the lockdown is lifted. "The city of Harare and other local authorities are already in the process of identifying and preparing alternate workplaces for informal traders," Chidawu and Gomba said in their joint statement. But Wadzai said the committees deciding how to allocate and use those spaces had not reached out to any vendors or informal workers' unions for their input. "It is not fair for the authorities to take advantage of COVID-19 lockdown to attack the livelihoods of people and without any consultation," he said over the phone. 'VENDORS ARE DYING' While the Zimbabwean government has begun easing some lockdown measures to allow commerce and industry to slowly restart, the informal sector is still prohibited from operating. Simon Masanga, the permanent secretary for social welfare, said in May the government began distributing 180 Zimbabwean dollars ($7.20) per month to more than 2,000 people who had been affected by the lockdown and the clampdown on vendors. The goal is to scale up to 1 million beneficiaries, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, adding that registering vendors for financial aid was a slow process due to lockdown measures. Vendors' rights groups like the Informal Economy Traders Association have described the payments as "paltry", saying they barely cover a family's most basic needs. A family of five in Zimbabwe needs about 7,500 Zimbabwean dollars (about $300) per month to cover their basic needs, according to figures reported by Zimstat, the national statistics agency, in April. "We are not saying this money is enough to meet basic requirements, but it will go a long way in assisting someone who does not have any money in their pocket," Masanga said in response to the criticisms. If the government wants to help vendors recover from both the impacts of the pandemic and the loss of their stalls, it should ease the informal trading sector out of lockdown and put a rush on aid payments, Wadzai said. "The government needs to speedily disburse funds to cushion those vulnerable," he said. "It's taking too long. Vendors are literally dying of hunger."

'Dying of hunger': Zimbabwe street vendors hit by coronavirus clampdown

In the rural Zimbabwe district of Wedza, a new electric-powered motorcycle is helping bring income to poor women during lockdown, and easing the burden of looking after families.

Electric motorcycle sets Zimbabwe rural women on path to prosperity

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomats have been caught in the tight spot again and this time in Africa. A local report in Zimbabwe has said that a Pakistani diplomat in the country has been involved in human trafficking.

"The Standard" of Zimbabwe reported that one Pakistan origin businessman Main Sohail Qaiser "tipped off the immigration officers that (3 Pakistanis)... intended to cross the border illegally with the alleged help of Waqas Ahmed, a Pakistani diplomat based in Harare, who is, however, still employed by the embassy."

Three Pakistanis were arrested on October 2019 sparking tensions between Harare and Islamabad with all 3 being tried in a court and being sentenced to 90 days in prison. &nbsp;What has caused the alarm for the Pakistani mission was that Qaiser had interviewed the detainees in the presence of immigration officials and the interview the women had criticised Pakistan govt as a "facilitator of human trafficking" according to the report. The videos later got circulated in the country and local south Asian community causing embarrassment for the mission.&nbsp;

The Pakistan mission had taken the matter with Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs ministry. In a letter as quoted by the newspaper, the Pakistani mission had said, "It is astonishing to note Mian Sohail Qaiser’s access to official and confidential documents in the highly sensitive institution like immigration and (the) foreign office (sic).”

The mission had sent several diplomatic notes between November 2019 and May 2020 requesting a meeting with Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo. 
 
Meanwhile, Qaiser has accused the Pakistani mission in running a human trafficking cartel and claimed the 2 women were to travel to neighbouring Malawi from Zimbabwe and were later supposed to be "smuggled into South Africa with the help of Pakistani missions in both Malawi and Zimbabwe"

“They are criminals and they are engaged with the videos because I exposed to their country what they are doing here in Zimbabwe,” Qaiser said according to the newspaper.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, a Pakistani foreign service officer, Waqar Ahmad posted in Pakistani mission in Ukraine was sacked by the govt in Islamabad over sexual harassment charges. He was involved in harassment of a local cleaner and involved in "abuse of authority", a Pakistani govt notification said.

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomats have been caught in the tight spot again and this time in Africa. A local report in Zimbabwe has said that a Pakistani diplomat in the country has been involved in human trafficking.

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomats have been caught in the tight spot again and this time in Africa. A local report in Zimbabwe has said that a Pakistani diplomat in the country has been involved in human trafficking. "The Standard" of Zimbabwe reported that one Pakistan origin businessman Main Sohail Qaiser "tipped off the immigration officers that (3 Pakistanis)... intended to cross the border illegally with the alleged help of Waqas Ahmed, a Pakistani diplomat based in Harare, who is, however, still employed by the embassy." Three Pakistanis were arrested on October 2019 sparking tensions between Harare and Islamabad with all 3 being tried in a court and being sentenced to 90 days in prison. What has caused the alarm for the Pakistani mission was that Qaiser had interviewed the detainees in the presence of immigration officials and the interview the women had criticised Pakistan govt as a "facilitator of human trafficking" according to the report. The videos later got circulated in the country and local south Asian community causing embarrassment for the mission. The Pakistan mission had taken the matter with Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs ministry. In a letter as quoted by the newspaper, the Pakistani mission had said, "It is astonishing to note Mian Sohail Qaiser’s access to official and confidential documents in the highly sensitive institution like immigration and (the) foreign office (sic).” The mission had sent several diplomatic notes between November 2019 and May 2020 requesting a meeting with Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo. Meanwhile, Qaiser has accused the Pakistani mission in running a human trafficking cartel and claimed the 2 women were to travel to neighbouring Malawi from Zimbabwe and were later supposed to be "smuggled into South Africa with the help of Pakistani missions in both Malawi and Zimbabwe" “They are criminals and they are engaged with the videos because I exposed to their country what they are doing here in Zimbabwe,” Qaiser said according to the newspaper. Earlier this month, a Pakistani foreign service officer, Waqar Ahmad posted in Pakistani mission in Ukraine was sacked by the govt in Islamabad over sexual harassment charges. He was involved in harassment of a local cleaner and involved in "abuse of authority", a Pakistani govt notification said.

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomat in Zimbabwe embarrasses Islamabad as human trafficking link surfaces

Zimbabwe's defence minister has called the coronavirus pandemic a "punishment" of the US and Europe for imposing sanctions against members of the ruling regime over human rights abuses.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-extends-travel-ban-to-britain-ireland-286447">Trump tests negative for coronavirus, extends travel ban to Britain, Ireland</a>

Coronavirus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed almost 6,000 since it was first detected in China last December.

"Coronavirus is the work of God punishing countries who imposed sanctions on us," said Zimbabwe's defence minister Oppah Muchinguri on Saturday, speaking at a rally in the northern town of Chinhoyi.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-ban-mass-gatherings-from-next-week-to-curb-coronavirus-286354">UK to ban mass gatherings from next week to curb coronavirus</a>

"They are now staying indoors. Their economies are screaming just like they did to our economy."

The United States and the European Union first imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe during the despotic rule of the country's late ex-president Robert Mugabe, ousted by the military in November 2017.

The measures were aimed at high-ranking officials and government institutions, including travel bans on Mugabe and his inner circle.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been battling to re-engage with the West since he took office in 2017.

But the US extended sanctions this month to two security officials accused of orchestrating a violent crackdown on protests over a delay in election results in 2018, killing six.

Muchinguri said the novel virus would teach US President Donald Trump that "he is not God".

"They must feel the effects of coronavirus and understand our pain," she said.

Zimbabwe's defence minister has called the coronavirus pandemic a "punishment" of the US and Europe for imposing sanctions against members of the ruling regime over human rights abuses.

Zimbabwe's defence minister has called the coronavirus pandemic a "punishment" of the US and Europe for imposing sanctions against members of the ruling regime over human rights abuses. Also read: Trump tests negative for coronavirus, extends travel ban to Britain, Ireland Coronavirus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed almost 6,000 since it was first detected in China last December. "Coronavirus is the work of God punishing countries who imposed sanctions on us," said Zimbabwe's defence minister Oppah Muchinguri on Saturday, speaking at a rally in the northern town of Chinhoyi. Also read: UK to ban mass gatherings from next week to curb coronavirus "They are now staying indoors. Their economies are screaming just like they did to our economy." The United States and the European Union first imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe during the despotic rule of the country's late ex-president Robert Mugabe, ousted by the military in November 2017. The measures were aimed at high-ranking officials and government institutions, including travel bans on Mugabe and his inner circle. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been battling to re-engage with the West since he took office in 2017. But the US extended sanctions this month to two security officials accused of orchestrating a violent crackdown on protests over a delay in election results in 2018, killing six. Muchinguri said the novel virus would teach US President Donald Trump that "he is not God". "They must feel the effects of coronavirus and understand our pain," she said.

Virus 'god's punishment' of west: Zimbabwe minister

Junior doctors in the state hospitals of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zimbabwe-vice-presidents-wife-charged-with-his-attempted-murder-268623">Zimbabwe </a>will end their strike after billionaire Strive Masiyiwa offered $6.25 million fellowship for the welfare of the country's doctors.

The doctors were on a strike for the past four months because of poor income conditions which had&nbsp;worsened due to the country's economic crisis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/zimbabwe-escalating-crisis-common-people-bear-the-brunt-245000">Zimbabwe escalating crisis: Common people bear the brunt</a>

In November last year, the Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) joined them as they could not bear the deplorable state of state hospitals and the dire health facilities in the country.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/price-of-bread-rises-60-overnight-in-zimbabwe-256364">&nbsp;Price of bread rises 60% overnight in already struggling with inflation Zimbabwe</a>

The telecom billionaire will pay the doctors a monthly allowance of approximately&nbsp;$300 for six months, the doctors' union said in a statement.

<img alt="Billionaire Strive Masiyiwa " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="504f43af-feb3-4abb-86f4-fe698450d2d9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/171009125509-african-ceo-strive-masiyiwa-facebook2-exlarge-169.jpg" />

The fellowship will be provided by his family's foundation called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/life-fun/helicopter-parenting-more-likely-to-cause-depression-among-college-students-study-1400/amp">HigherLife</a>.

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UPDATE! <a href="https://twitter.com/SeniorDoctors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SeniorDoctors</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HigherLifeFDN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HigherLifeFDN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoHCCZim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HeraldZimbabwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeraldZimbabwe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsDayZimbabwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NewsDayZimbabwe</a> <a href="https://t.co/vpeoLeCUSg">pic.twitter.com/vpeoLeCUSg</a>
— ZHDA (@ZHDAofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZHDAofficial/status/1219680557577187329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Free transport vouchers for beneficiaries will also be provided during working days and on-call duties.

Half the doctors of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association have already enrolled for the fellowship.

The doctors association said that the health hospitals lack basic facilities like bandages, syringes and medicines and they will continue to engage the government to strive for finding a long term solution to the problem.

Junior doctors in the state hospitals of Zimbabwe will end their strike after billionaire Strive Masiyiwa offered $6.25 million fellowship for the welfare of the country's doctors.

Junior doctors in the state hospitals of Zimbabwe will end their strike after billionaire Strive Masiyiwa offered $6.25 million fellowship for the welfare of the country's doctors. The doctors were on a strike for the past four months because of poor income conditions which had worsened due to the country's economic crisis. Also read: Zimbabwe escalating crisis: Common people bear the brunt In November last year, the Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) joined them as they could not bear the deplorable state of state hospitals and the dire health facilities in the country. Also read: Price of bread rises 60% overnight in already struggling with inflation Zimbabwe The telecom billionaire will pay the doctors a monthly allowance of approximately $300 for six months, the doctors' union said in a statement. The fellowship will be provided by his family's foundation called HigherLife. UPDATE! @SeniorDoctors @HigherLifeFDN @MoHCCZim @HeraldZimbabwe @NewsDayZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/vpeoLeCUSg — ZHDA (@ZHDAofficial) January 21, 2020 × Free transport vouchers for beneficiaries will also be provided during working days and on-call duties. Half the doctors of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association have already enrolled for the fellowship. The doctors association said that the health hospitals lack basic facilities like bandages, syringes and medicines and they will continue to engage the government to strive for finding a long term solution to the problem.

Doctors to return to work after Zimbabwean billionaire's offer

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A court in Zimbabwe on Thursday appointed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-and-times-of-zimbabwes-robert-mugabe-from-liberator-to-oppressor-247919">Robert Mugabe</a>'s daughter to identify assets left by the late former leader so they can be distributed to his beneficiaries, his lawyer said.

Zimbabweans are keen to know how much wealth Mugabe accrued during his 37 years in power. Many assume that he and his family amassed a vast fortune - perhaps as much as $1 billion, according to a leaked US&nbsp;diplomatic cable from 2001.

The Master of High Court in Harare appointed Bona Chikore executor of her father's estate, the Mugabe family lawyer Terrence Hussein told reporters, adding that this had been agreed by family members.

Hussein said Mugabe's wife Grace and Bona attended Thursday's meeting at the court but sons Robert Jr and Bellarmine Chatunga were away. They, however, gave written consent that their sister should be appointed executor.

For many years, Mugabe and Grace were widely reported by Zimbabwean and foreign media to have deposited money and bought properties abroad, including in Asia, where they spent most of their annual family holidays. The family has denied this.

But a legal dispute that spilled into the public in 2014 over a $5 million villa in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/business-activity-in-hong-kong-shrinks-the-most-in-21-years-pmi-266073">Hong Kong</a> suggested Mugabe's family had been buying overseas property. The government said it owned the house.

Hussein said journalists and United States and Britain, who were critical of Mugabe, should prove that he had properties abroad so they could be registered with the court.

"This is the good thing about saying falsehoods, those falsehoods will be exposed. Where are the properties?" Hussein said when asked about reports that Mugabe had properties abroad.

Hussein told Reuters on Tuesday that the process of establishing Mugabe's assets would take some time, casting doubt on a state media report that the former leader left $10 million and some properties in the capital.

A court in Zimbabwe on Thursday appointed Robert Mugabe's daughter to identify assets left by the late former leader so they can be distributed to his beneficiaries, his lawyer said.

A court in Zimbabwe on Thursday appointed Robert Mugabe's daughter to identify assets left by the late former leader so they can be distributed to his beneficiaries, his lawyer said. Zimbabweans are keen to know how much wealth Mugabe accrued during his 37 years in power. Many assume that he and his family amassed a vast fortune - perhaps as much as $1 billion, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable from 2001. The Master of High Court in Harare appointed Bona Chikore executor of her father's estate, the Mugabe family lawyer Terrence Hussein told reporters, adding that this had been agreed by family members. Hussein said Mugabe's wife Grace and Bona attended Thursday's meeting at the court but sons Robert Jr and Bellarmine Chatunga were away. They, however, gave written consent that their sister should be appointed executor. For many years, Mugabe and Grace were widely reported by Zimbabwean and foreign media to have deposited money and bought properties abroad, including in Asia, where they spent most of their annual family holidays. The family has denied this. But a legal dispute that spilled into the public in 2014 over a $5 million villa in Hong Kong suggested Mugabe's family had been buying overseas property. The government said it owned the house. Hussein said journalists and United States and Britain, who were critical of Mugabe, should prove that he had properties abroad so they could be registered with the court. "This is the good thing about saying falsehoods, those falsehoods will be exposed. Where are the properties?" Hussein said when asked about reports that Mugabe had properties abroad. Hussein told Reuters on Tuesday that the process of establishing Mugabe's assets would take some time, casting doubt on a state media report that the former leader left $10 million and some properties in the capital.

Zimbabwe court appoints Mugabe daughter to identify his assets

The price of bread shot up 60 per cent overnight in Zimbabwe, in the latest blow for a population already struggling with spiralling living costs.

Zimbabweans can barely keep pace with the price rises that have rekindled fears of hyperinflation which reached 500 billion per cent a decade ago and forced the country to trash its own currency.

Already many families live on one meal a day, with the southern African country in the grip of a major downturn that has provoked biting shortages of basics such as fuel and medicine.

Bakers said they were forced to hike their prices due to rising production costs.

Electricity prices have "gone up significantly, the price of fuel has also been going up weekly, the prices of raw materials have also gone up including the cost of importing wheat," said Dennis Wala, the president of the National Bakers' Association.

Electricity is only available for around six hours a day, forcing many bakers to use generators to run their ovens.

"The bread manufacturer is at the end of the value chain and we have to factor in all these costs, but we don't prescribe prices to our members," Wala told AFP.

The price of a loaf of bread soared to 15 Zimbabwe dollars (around US$1) on Wednesday from nine dollars the previous day, according to an AFP correspondent.

Bread is the second most important staple in the country after a thick cornmeal porridge known in the local Shona language as "sadza".

After decades of mismanagement under the late dictator Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe reached absurd levels of hyperinflation in 2008-2009 when the central bank started printing money.

Mugabe's successor Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to stop the latest inflation surge, last week begging for patience to bring the economy back from the "dead".

But the economy is near breaking point.

Hundreds of thousands of government workers said this week they could no longer afford to report for duty as their wages had been rendered almost worthless.

Last week the authorities quadrupled the price of electricity -- which is already in short supply after a 400 per cent hike in August.

Earlier this month, the price of fuel rose more than 25 per cent, the latest in series of regular increases.

The official inflation rate was 290 per cent last month, but economists estimate it is at least double that figure.&nbsp;

The price of bread shot up 60 per cent overnight in Zimbabwe, in the latest blow for a population already struggling with spiralling living costs. Zimbabweans can barely keep pace with the price rises that have rekindled fears of hyperinflation which reached 500 billion per cent a decade ago and forced the country to trash its own currency.

The price of bread shot up 60 per cent overnight in Zimbabwe, in the latest blow for a population already struggling with spiralling living costs. Zimbabweans can barely keep pace with the price rises that have rekindled fears of hyperinflation which reached 500 billion per cent a decade ago and forced the country to trash its own currency. Already many families live on one meal a day, with the southern African country in the grip of a major downturn that has provoked biting shortages of basics such as fuel and medicine. Bakers said they were forced to hike their prices due to rising production costs. Electricity prices have "gone up significantly, the price of fuel has also been going up weekly, the prices of raw materials have also gone up including the cost of importing wheat," said Dennis Wala, the president of the National Bakers' Association. Electricity is only available for around six hours a day, forcing many bakers to use generators to run their ovens. "The bread manufacturer is at the end of the value chain and we have to factor in all these costs, but we don't prescribe prices to our members," Wala told AFP. The price of a loaf of bread soared to 15 Zimbabwe dollars (around US$1) on Wednesday from nine dollars the previous day, according to an AFP correspondent. Bread is the second most important staple in the country after a thick cornmeal porridge known in the local Shona language as "sadza". After decades of mismanagement under the late dictator Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe reached absurd levels of hyperinflation in 2008-2009 when the central bank started printing money. Mugabe's successor Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to stop the latest inflation surge, last week begging for patience to bring the economy back from the "dead". But the economy is near breaking point. Hundreds of thousands of government workers said this week they could no longer afford to report for duty as their wages had been rendered almost worthless. Last week the authorities quadrupled the price of electricity -- which is already in short supply after a 400 per cent hike in August. Earlier this month, the price of fuel rose more than 25 per cent, the latest in series of regular increases. The official inflation rate was 290 per cent last month, but economists estimate it is at least double that figure.

Price of bread rises 60% overnight in already struggling with inflation Zimbabwe

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent high-ranking emissaries on a mission to reassure African countries after a wave of xenophobic attacks, the presidency said on Sunday.

At least 12 people have been killed in the surge of mob violence targeting foreign-owned businesses and homes, mainly in and around Johannesburg since the start of the month.

Hundreds of economic migrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique have fled to shelters and Nigeria has flown 600 of its citizens back home after they were targeted in the violence.

The mission, led by former minister Jeff Radebe, left South Africa on Saturday and will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, DR Congo and Zambia, the presidency said.

Ramaphosa was jeered at on Saturday during his speech at Zimbabwe ex-leader Robert Mugabe's funeral in Harare before he apologised for the attacks, which have been prompted by unemployment and poverty.

"I stand before you as a fellow African to express my regret and apologise for what has happened in our country," Ramaphosa said at the state funeral.

His comments were met with cheers and blasts of air horns from the crowd.

South Africa, the continent's second-largest economy, is a major destination for other African migrants. But they are often targeted by some locals who blame them for a lack of jobs.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent high-ranking emissaries on a mission to reassure African countries after a wave of xenophobic attacks, the presidency said on Sunday.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent high-ranking emissaries on a mission to reassure African countries after a wave of xenophobic attacks, the presidency said on Sunday. At least 12 people have been killed in the surge of mob violence targeting foreign-owned businesses and homes, mainly in and around Johannesburg since the start of the month. Hundreds of economic migrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique have fled to shelters and Nigeria has flown 600 of its citizens back home after they were targeted in the violence. The mission, led by former minister Jeff Radebe, left South Africa on Saturday and will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, DR Congo and Zambia, the presidency said. Ramaphosa was jeered at on Saturday during his speech at Zimbabwe ex-leader Robert Mugabe's funeral in Harare before he apologised for the attacks, which have been prompted by unemployment and poverty. "I stand before you as a fellow African to express my regret and apologise for what has happened in our country," Ramaphosa said at the state funeral. His comments were met with cheers and blasts of air horns from the crowd. South Africa, the continent's second-largest economy, is a major destination for other African migrants. But they are often targeted by some locals who blame them for a lack of jobs.

South Africa dispatches emissaries to calm xenophobia fears

Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe will be buried at the National Heroes Acre monument in Harare in "around 30 days", Mugabe family spokesman Leo Mugabe said on Friday (September 13), after earlier saying the burial will be on Sunday (September 15).

Zimbabwe's Mugabe to be buried in 'a month' at national monument

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-mugabes-family-agree-to-burial-in-heroes-monument-249523">Former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe</a>'s family and the government on Friday said he would be buried in about a month after they agreed to entomb him at a monument for national heroes in Harare.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/body-of-zimbabwes-mugabe-to-leave-singapore-for-burial-at-home-248929">Mugabe died in Singapore</a> last week aged 95, leaving Zimbabweans divided over the legacy of a leader once lauded as an anti-colonial guerrilla hero, but whose 37-year iron-fisted rule ended in a coup in 2017.

His family and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally who turned against him, had been at odds over where and when he would be buried after his body returned home on Wednesday from Singapore.

On Friday, they agreed he would be buried at the National Heroes Acre, but the final ceremony will only take place in 30 days after a new mausoleum is built for Mugabe.

"The government, the chiefs, the traditional leaders went to the Heroes Acre they showed each other where President Mugabe is going to be buried and that place will take about 30 days to complete," his nephew Leo Mugabe said.

Mnangagwa confirmed the burial would only take place once a new site had been built there for the former leader.

"We are building a mausoleum for our founding father on top of the hill at (the) Heroes Acre," he said.

Around a dozen African leaders and former presidents, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, are among those expected to attend Mugabe's official state funeral on Saturday in Harare in a sports stadium.

Tensions had erupted when Mnangagwa's government proposed a burial at the monument while the family said he would be buried at a private ceremony, possibly in his homestead of Kutama, in the Zvimba region, northwest of the capital.

Leo Mugabe said Mugabe's body would go to Zvimba for villagers to pay their last respects at the weekend and returned to Harare while the new tomb was built.

The former leader had been travelling to Singapore regularly for medical treatment but allies say his health deteriorated rapidly after his ouster.

Some of Mugabe's relatives are still bitter over how he was removed from power, and the role Mnangagwa played in his ouster.

Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa as first vice president in 2017 -- a move many perceived as a bid to position his wife Grace to succeed him after nearly four decades of autocratic rule.

Soon after, Mugabe was toppled by protesters and the army in what was seen as part of a power struggle within the ruling ZANU-PF party between pro-Mnangagwa factions and Mugabe loyalists siding with Grace.

He remained free in Zimbabwe with his family after he was forced from office.

People divided

Zimbabweans have been split over the death of a man who some still praise for ending white-minority rule and widening access to health and education to the poor black majority.

But many Zimbabweans remember his tyrannical leadership and economic mismanagement that forced millions to escape a country ravaged by hyper-inflation and shortages of food, drugs and fuel.

"We are happier now that he is gone. Why should I go to his funeral? I don't have fuel," said Constance, 52, a Harare housewife. "We don't want to hear anything about him anymore. He is the cause of our problems."

Mugabe's legacy is also marked by a crackdown known as Gukurahundi, which killed an estimated 20,000 alleged "dissidents", and his violent seizure of white-owned farms that made him an international pariah.

Mnangagwa himself is under pressure after promising a new post-Mugabe era of more investment and jobs after he came to power, with little success.

His government's fuel price hike this year sparked protests which led to a crackdown on opposition and clashes in which soldiers opened fire killing 17 people. 
&nbsp;

Former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe's family and the government on Friday said he would be buried in about a month after they agreed to entomb him at a monument for national heroes in Harare.

Former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe's family and the government on Friday said he would be buried in about a month after they agreed to entomb him at a monument for national heroes in Harare. Mugabe died in Singapore last week aged 95, leaving Zimbabweans divided over the legacy of a leader once lauded as an anti-colonial guerrilla hero, but whose 37-year iron-fisted rule ended in a coup in 2017. His family and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally who turned against him, had been at odds over where and when he would be buried after his body returned home on Wednesday from Singapore. On Friday, they agreed he would be buried at the National Heroes Acre, but the final ceremony will only take place in 30 days after a new mausoleum is built for Mugabe. "The government, the chiefs, the traditional leaders went to the Heroes Acre they showed each other where President Mugabe is going to be buried and that place will take about 30 days to complete," his nephew Leo Mugabe said. Mnangagwa confirmed the burial would only take place once a new site had been built there for the former leader. "We are building a mausoleum for our founding father on top of the hill at (the) Heroes Acre," he said. Around a dozen African leaders and former presidents, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, are among those expected to attend Mugabe's official state funeral on Saturday in Harare in a sports stadium. Tensions had erupted when Mnangagwa's government proposed a burial at the monument while the family said he would be buried at a private ceremony, possibly in his homestead of Kutama, in the Zvimba region, northwest of the capital. Leo Mugabe said Mugabe's body would go to Zvimba for villagers to pay their last respects at the weekend and returned to Harare while the new tomb was built. The former leader had been travelling to Singapore regularly for medical treatment but allies say his health deteriorated rapidly after his ouster. Some of Mugabe's relatives are still bitter over how he was removed from power, and the role Mnangagwa played in his ouster. Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa as first vice president in 2017 -- a move many perceived as a bid to position his wife Grace to succeed him after nearly four decades of autocratic rule. Soon after, Mugabe was toppled by protesters and the army in what was seen as part of a power struggle within the ruling ZANU-PF party between pro-Mnangagwa factions and Mugabe loyalists siding with Grace. He remained free in Zimbabwe with his family after he was forced from office. People divided Zimbabweans have been split over the death of a man who some still praise for ending white-minority rule and widening access to health and education to the poor black majority. But many Zimbabweans remember his tyrannical leadership and economic mismanagement that forced millions to escape a country ravaged by hyper-inflation and shortages of food, drugs and fuel. "We are happier now that he is gone. Why should I go to his funeral? I don't have fuel," said Constance, 52, a Harare housewife. "We don't want to hear anything about him anymore. He is the cause of our problems." Mugabe's legacy is also marked by a crackdown known as Gukurahundi, which killed an estimated 20,000 alleged "dissidents", and his violent seizure of white-owned farms that made him an international pariah. Mnangagwa himself is under pressure after promising a new post-Mugabe era of more investment and jobs after he came to power, with little success. His government's fuel price hike this year sparked protests which led to a crackdown on opposition and clashes in which soldiers opened fire killing 17 people.

Mugabe to be buried in a month at Zimbabwe's 'heroes' monument

Zimbabwe gave <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mugabe-to-be-buried-in-a-month-at-zimbabwes-heroes-monument-249540">former leader Robert Mugabe</a> a state funeral on Saturday with African leaders paying tribute to a man lauded as a liberation hero but whose 37-year rule was defined by repression and economic turmoil.

Mugabe, who <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/body-of-zimbabwes-mugabe-to-leave-singapore-for-burial-at-home-248929">died</a>&nbsp;in Singapore <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-zimbabwe-president-robert-mugabe-passes-away-at-95-247895">aged 95</a>, left Zimbabwe deeply divided over his legacy with the southern African country still struggling with high inflation and shortages of goods after decades of mismanagement.

Mugabe died last week on an overseas medical trip almost two years after former army loyalists forced him out in 2017, following a power struggle over what was widely perceived as his bid to position his wife Grace to succeed him.

Former and current African leaders, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta, arrived in crowds chanting and drumming liberation songs at the 60,000-capacity national stadium in Harare for Saturday's ceremony.

Mugabe's casket draped in the green, black, gold and red Zimbabwe flag was marched slowly into the stadium, accompanied by a military band and an escort of officers. His wife Grace, in a black veil, and family followed behind.

"Let us put aside our differences and come together as we remember the past and look to the future as one proud, independent and free nation," Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa said in a tweet.

Mugabe's body was returned from Singapore on Wednesday to a country he helped found as an anti-colonial guerrilla and pan-African leader who ended the white-minority rule and helped bring more education and healthcare to the poor black majority.

Later, Mugabe turned to repression and fear to crush dissidents and ruled for nearly four decades during which he becomes an international pariah for his takeover of white-owned farms.

"You can't talk about Zimbabwe without Bob. Zimbabwe is Bob. It took a man like Bob, his bravery, to get independence," said Norman Gombera, 57, a school principal in Harare. "Bob did his best under the circumstances. There is no country without a problem."

'Bitter legacy'

His final burial at a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-mugabes-family-agree-to-burial-in-heroes-monument-249523">national monument</a> will only happen after a new mausoleum is built in about 30 days. That decision was taken after his family ended a dispute with Mnangagwa, a former ally who turned against his rule in 2017.

Though lauded as an African icon, at home many Zimbabweans will remember Mugabe more for the economic mismanagement that forced millions to flee the country during decades of crisis.

Many are struggling to survive despite Mnangagwa's vows of more investment and jobs in the post-Mugabe era.

"The fruits of his tenure are the shortages. That is what we remember him for," said Steven, a consultant shopping nearby the stadium.

"He has made sure there is no opposition and he succeeded. There is no reason to go to his funeral."

Always divisive in life, Mugabe's funeral arrangements were also caught up in a dispute between Mnangagwa and the family over where and when the former leader should be buried.

The two parties on Friday finally agreed he should lie at National Heroes Acre. But the final ceremony would take place in about 30 days, once the new mausoleum was built for him there.

His family are still bitter over the role Mnangagwa played in his ouster and had pushed for Mugabe to be buried in his homestead of Zvimba, northwest of Harare.

A former guerrilla who fought alongside Mugabe against colonial forces, Mnangagwa was fired as first vice president by Mugabe in 2017. Mugabe had branded him a "traitor".

Soon after, protesters took to the streets and military officers pressured Mugabe to step down in what was widely seen as a struggle between Mnangagwa's faction and loyalists to Mugabe's wife Grace inside the ruling ZANU-PF party.

The "heroes" monument, where more than 130 national figures are buried in black marble tombs, sits on a hilltop overlooking Harare. Mugabe's first wife, Sally, is also buried there.

Zimbabwe gave former leader Robert Mugabe a state funeral on Saturday with African leaders paying tribute to a man lauded as a liberation hero but whose 37-year rule was defined by repression and economic turmoil.

Zimbabwe gave former leader Robert Mugabe a state funeral on Saturday with African leaders paying tribute to a man lauded as a liberation hero but whose 37-year rule was defined by repression and economic turmoil. Mugabe, who died in Singapore aged 95, left Zimbabwe deeply divided over his legacy with the southern African country still struggling with high inflation and shortages of goods after decades of mismanagement. Mugabe died last week on an overseas medical trip almost two years after former army loyalists forced him out in 2017, following a power struggle over what was widely perceived as his bid to position his wife Grace to succeed him. Former and current African leaders, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta, arrived in crowds chanting and drumming liberation songs at the 60,000-capacity national stadium in Harare for Saturday's ceremony. Mugabe's casket draped in the green, black, gold and red Zimbabwe flag was marched slowly into the stadium, accompanied by a military band and an escort of officers. His wife Grace, in a black veil, and family followed behind. "Let us put aside our differences and come together as we remember the past and look to the future as one proud, independent and free nation," Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa said in a tweet. Mugabe's body was returned from Singapore on Wednesday to a country he helped found as an anti-colonial guerrilla and pan-African leader who ended the white-minority rule and helped bring more education and healthcare to the poor black majority. Later, Mugabe turned to repression and fear to crush dissidents and ruled for nearly four decades during which he becomes an international pariah for his takeover of white-owned farms. "You can't talk about Zimbabwe without Bob. Zimbabwe is Bob. It took a man like Bob, his bravery, to get independence," said Norman Gombera, 57, a school principal in Harare. "Bob did his best under the circumstances. There is no country without a problem." 'Bitter legacy' His final burial at a national monument will only happen after a new mausoleum is built in about 30 days. That decision was taken after his family ended a dispute with Mnangagwa, a former ally who turned against his rule in 2017. Though lauded as an African icon, at home many Zimbabweans will remember Mugabe more for the economic mismanagement that forced millions to flee the country during decades of crisis. Many are struggling to survive despite Mnangagwa's vows of more investment and jobs in the post-Mugabe era. "The fruits of his tenure are the shortages. That is what we remember him for," said Steven, a consultant shopping nearby the stadium. "He has made sure there is no opposition and he succeeded. There is no reason to go to his funeral." Always divisive in life, Mugabe's funeral arrangements were also caught up in a dispute between Mnangagwa and the family over where and when the former leader should be buried. The two parties on Friday finally agreed he should lie at National Heroes Acre. But the final ceremony would take place in about 30 days, once the new mausoleum was built for him there. His family are still bitter over the role Mnangagwa played in his ouster and had pushed for Mugabe to be buried in his homestead of Zvimba, northwest of Harare. A former guerrilla who fought alongside Mugabe against colonial forces, Mnangagwa was fired as first vice president by Mugabe in 2017. Mugabe had branded him a "traitor". Soon after, protesters took to the streets and military officers pressured Mugabe to step down in what was widely seen as a struggle between Mnangagwa's faction and loyalists to Mugabe's wife Grace inside the ruling ZANU-PF party. The "heroes" monument, where more than 130 national figures are buried in black marble tombs, sits on a hilltop overlooking Harare. Mugabe's first wife, Sally, is also buried there.

Divided Zimbabwe bids farewell to Robert Mugabe with state funeral

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-zimbabwe-president-robert-mugabe-passes-away-at-95-247895">Robert Mugabe</a>'s nephew said Sunday that a delegation was expected to leave Zimbabwe on Monday to collect the hero-turned-despot's body from Singapore where he died two days ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/military-coups-from-napoleon-to-mugabe-556">Mugabe</a>, a guerilla leader who swept to power after Zimbabwe's independence from Britain and went on to rule for 37 years, died on Friday, aged 95.

His health took a hit after he was ousted by the military in November 2017, ending his increasingly tyrannical rule. He had been travelling to Singapore for treatment since April.&nbsp;

"I can't give an authoritative day, all I know is people are leaving tomorrow Monday to go and pick up the body," Leo Mugabe told AFP.&nbsp;

"So assuming they get there on Tuesday and the body is ready, logically you would think they should land here on Wednesday," he said, adding that a list of accompanying family members was being finalised.

Once praised as a liberator who rid Zimbabwe of white minority rule, Mugabe soon turned to repression and fear to govern.

He is widely remembered for crushing political dissent and ruining the economy, prompting mixed reactions to his passing.

At Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mugabe's parish in the capital Harare, the priest encouraged congregants to pray for their founding leader.

"I know some of us may have different feelings about it, but it’s our duty to pray for one another," Father Justin Jagaja told AFP. &nbsp;&nbsp;

President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a period of "national mourning" on Friday, without providing further detail.&nbsp;

The government is expected to announce when Mugabe's body will be returned to Zimbabwe and provide details of the funeral in coming days.

Burial tensions

Mugabe's family and Mnangagwa appear to disagree on whether the former president will be buried in his rural homestead Zvimba in a ceremony involving local chiefs, or at the National Heroes Acre -- a hilltop shrine in Harare commemorating guerillas killed during the liberation struggle.

Leo Mugabe refused to comment on the feud. "All I know is (that) we are closer to an agreement if the chiefs meet up with the president and discuss the issues," said the nephew.

He explained that his uncle would have been appointed chief of Zvimba had he not become president.

Zimbabwe's deputy information minister Energy Mutody said the body would rest in Harare.

"His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has declared former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe a National Hero," Mutody tweeted on Saturday.&nbsp;

"The former President will be buried at the national heroes acre at a date to be announced."

The 57-acre site, presided over by three bronze guerilla soldiers, was later opened up to national heroes in the arts and academia.

The family of Zimbabwean Afro-jazz icon and human rights activist Oliver Mtukudzi also refused to bury him at the shrine.

Mtukudzi, who succumbed to diabetes in January, was declared national hero for his social and political influence. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Robert Mugabe's nephew said Sunday that a delegation was expected to leave Zimbabwe on Monday to collect the hero-turned-despot's body from Singapore where he died two days ago.

Robert Mugabe's nephew said Sunday that a delegation was expected to leave Zimbabwe on Monday to collect the hero-turned-despot's body from Singapore where he died two days ago. Mugabe, a guerilla leader who swept to power after Zimbabwe's independence from Britain and went on to rule for 37 years, died on Friday, aged 95. His health took a hit after he was ousted by the military in November 2017, ending his increasingly tyrannical rule. He had been travelling to Singapore for treatment since April. "I can't give an authoritative day, all I know is people are leaving tomorrow Monday to go and pick up the body," Leo Mugabe told AFP. "So assuming they get there on Tuesday and the body is ready, logically you would think they should land here on Wednesday," he said, adding that a list of accompanying family members was being finalised. Once praised as a liberator who rid Zimbabwe of white minority rule, Mugabe soon turned to repression and fear to govern. He is widely remembered for crushing political dissent and ruining the economy, prompting mixed reactions to his passing. At Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mugabe's parish in the capital Harare, the priest encouraged congregants to pray for their founding leader. "I know some of us may have different feelings about it, but it’s our duty to pray for one another," Father Justin Jagaja told AFP. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a period of "national mourning" on Friday, without providing further detail. The government is expected to announce when Mugabe's body will be returned to Zimbabwe and provide details of the funeral in coming days. Burial tensions Mugabe's family and Mnangagwa appear to disagree on whether the former president will be buried in his rural homestead Zvimba in a ceremony involving local chiefs, or at the National Heroes Acre -- a hilltop shrine in Harare commemorating guerillas killed during the liberation struggle. Leo Mugabe refused to comment on the feud. "All I know is (that) we are closer to an agreement if the chiefs meet up with the president and discuss the issues," said the nephew. He explained that his uncle would have been appointed chief of Zvimba had he not become president. Zimbabwe's deputy information minister Energy Mutody said the body would rest in Harare. "His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has declared former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe a National Hero," Mutody tweeted on Saturday. "The former President will be buried at the national heroes acre at a date to be announced." The 57-acre site, presided over by three bronze guerilla soldiers, was later opened up to national heroes in the arts and academia. The family of Zimbabwean Afro-jazz icon and human rights activist Oliver Mtukudzi also refused to bury him at the shrine. Mtukudzi, who succumbed to diabetes in January, was declared national hero for his social and political influence.

Mugabe's body may return next week as burial tensions emerge

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe spent his final days in Singapore at one of Asia's best hospitals, more than 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) away from his homeland.

He died Friday aged 95 at Gleneagles Hospital, breathing his last while surrounded by family members, according to a relative.

Why would an African leader chose to seek medical treatment in faraway Singapore?

Why Singapore?&nbsp;

Singapore's reputation as a strictly-ruled country is conducive to privacy and lacks a paparazzi culture and aggressive media.

Its healthcare system is reputed to be among the best in the world, offering a whole range of services from health screenings to high-end surgical procedures.

A controversial figure like Mugabe could expect no protesters to hound him, as Singapore has strict rules against political gatherings.

Up until his death, no one would even officially confirm the hospital where Mugabe was being treated, sending journalists on a wild goose chase in the early hours after the announcement in Harare of his passing.

How long had he sought treatment in Singapore?

Local media said he first sought medical treatment for a cataract problem in 2011 and returned in 2014 for another procedure. Since then, his visits became more frequent.

AFP journalists saw Mugabe at Gleneagles Hospital in 2017. It was the first time he has been seen in public since he was forced to resign after a military takeover brought a sudden end to his authoritarian 37-year rule.

He was back in Singapore in April this year as his health deteriorated and a relative said he was in and out of the hospital while in the city-state.

Mugabe's nephew Adam Molai told reporters in Singapore the former leader was admitted at Gleneagles around a week before his death.

Molai said he died of afflictions related to old age.

Who was with Mugabe when he died?

Molai said the former leader "was surrounded by family" when he passed away and that he died "very peacefully".

Mugabe also "spoke about how he loves his family" in his final days, Molai added.

How much is a room at Gleneagles Hospital?

According to its website, suites are priced between Sg$1,158 and Sg$7,588 ($838 and $5,500) daily, while the cheapest admission is in a four-bed ward at Sg$259.

What are Mugabe's other Singapore connections?

Mugabe and his wife Grace travelled to Singapore to visit their daughter Bona, who studied in the city-state.

Both parents attended her graduation when she was awarded a masters degree in management, specialising in banking and finance.

Mugabe's wife, dubbed "Gucci Grace" in the media, is also known for her lavish shopping sprees around the world. She was reported to have spent 8,800 pounds ($10,700) on a handbag in a Singapore boutique.

Who else has sought treatment in Singapore?

Former Myanmar military leaders Soe Win and Than Shwe sought treatment in Singapore at various times.

Former Indonesian first lady Ani Yudhoyono died at Singapore's National University Hospital in June.

In 2003, 29-year-old conjoined Iranian twins Laleh and Ladan Bijani chose Singapore to have their separation surgery but both died after a marathon operation.

And in 2012, a student who was critically wounded after a gang-rape in New Delhi -- a case that sparked national outrage in India -- was brought to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to her injuries soon after her arrival.

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe spent his final days in Singapore at one of Asia's best hospitals, more than 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) away from his homeland.

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe spent his final days in Singapore at one of Asia's best hospitals, more than 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) away from his homeland. He died Friday aged 95 at Gleneagles Hospital, breathing his last while surrounded by family members, according to a relative. Why would an African leader chose to seek medical treatment in faraway Singapore? Why Singapore? Singapore's reputation as a strictly-ruled country is conducive to privacy and lacks a paparazzi culture and aggressive media. Its healthcare system is reputed to be among the best in the world, offering a whole range of services from health screenings to high-end surgical procedures. A controversial figure like Mugabe could expect no protesters to hound him, as Singapore has strict rules against political gatherings. Up until his death, no one would even officially confirm the hospital where Mugabe was being treated, sending journalists on a wild goose chase in the early hours after the announcement in Harare of his passing. How long had he sought treatment in Singapore? Local media said he first sought medical treatment for a cataract problem in 2011 and returned in 2014 for another procedure. Since then, his visits became more frequent. AFP journalists saw Mugabe at Gleneagles Hospital in 2017. It was the first time he has been seen in public since he was forced to resign after a military takeover brought a sudden end to his authoritarian 37-year rule. He was back in Singapore in April this year as his health deteriorated and a relative said he was in and out of the hospital while in the city-state. Mugabe's nephew Adam Molai told reporters in Singapore the former leader was admitted at Gleneagles around a week before his death. Molai said he died of afflictions related to old age. Who was with Mugabe when he died? Molai said the former leader "was surrounded by family" when he passed away and that he died "very peacefully". Mugabe also "spoke about how he loves his family" in his final days, Molai added. How much is a room at Gleneagles Hospital? According to its website, suites are priced between Sg$1,158 and Sg$7,588 ($838 and $5,500) daily, while the cheapest admission is in a four-bed ward at Sg$259. What are Mugabe's other Singapore connections? Mugabe and his wife Grace travelled to Singapore to visit their daughter Bona, who studied in the city-state. Both parents attended her graduation when she was awarded a masters degree in management, specialising in banking and finance. Mugabe's wife, dubbed "Gucci Grace" in the media, is also known for her lavish shopping sprees around the world. She was reported to have spent 8,800 pounds ($10,700) on a handbag in a Singapore boutique. Who else has sought treatment in Singapore? Former Myanmar military leaders Soe Win and Than Shwe sought treatment in Singapore at various times. Former Indonesian first lady Ani Yudhoyono died at Singapore's National University Hospital in June. In 2003, 29-year-old conjoined Iranian twins Laleh and Ladan Bijani chose Singapore to have their separation surgery but both died after a marathon operation. And in 2012, a student who was critically wounded after a gang-rape in New Delhi -- a case that sparked national outrage in India -- was brought to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to her injuries soon after her arrival.

Why did Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe spend his last days in Singapore?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zimbabwes-mugabe-says-now-accepts-mnangagwa-as-legitimate-president-164231">Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe</a> passed away on Friday at the age of 95 after battling ill-health.&nbsp;

Mugabe died in Singapore, where he has often received medical treatment in recent years, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

"It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe," a post on Mnangagwa's official presidential Twitter account said.

In November, Mnangagwa said Mugabe was no longer able to walk when he had been admitted to a hospital in Singapore, without saying what treatment Mugabe had been undergoing.

Officials often said he was being treated for a cataract, denying frequent private media reports that he had prostate cancer.

Mugabe, who ruled the southern African nation for nearly four decades since independence from Britain in 1980, was forced to resign in November 2017 after an army coup.

Once hailed as a model African democrat, Mugabe had clung to power for years despite a worsening political and economic crisis that critics blame on his policies.

Born in February 1924 on the Kutama Mission, northwest of Harare, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-year-after-mugabes-fall-zimbabwe-yearns-for-upswing-177974">Mugabe</a> was educated by Jesuits. He earned seven university degrees, three while in prison.&nbsp;

Mugabe was jailed for 10 years in 1964 for opposing white minority rule. A guerrilla war began in 1972 against Ian Smith’s white government of then-Rhodesia. He became leader of the ZANU liberation movement in the mid-1970s after his release from jail.

The renamed ZANU-PF won independence elections in 1980 and Mugabe became prime minister. He took office as president in 1987 after a change in the constitution.

In 2000, Mugabe tasted defeat when voters in a referendum rejected a constitution that would have given him more power. He turned on the small white minority, blaming them.

Mugabe pushed legislation through parliament allowing his government to seize white-owned farms. Self-styled war veterans occupied many other farms, often using violence.

His party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the March 2008 elections.

Mugabe, who held power since independence from British colonial rule in 1980, presided over Zimbabwe's decline from a regional power with huge potential, to a ruined country from which millions fled.

Many hoped his fall would mark a new era for the country and a re-birth of its economy, but Chihota says business at his plastic manufacturing firm is at its slowest since he started eight years ago.

In 2017, when Mugabe reached the age of 93, a long-brewing succession battle burst into the open.

The election result was also engulfed by accusations of fraud and opposition supporters and activists have since complained about constant harassment.

Mnangagwa, who secured his hold on power by winning disputed elections in July, 2018, had pledged to revive the economy, attract foreign investment, and create jobs.

(Inputs from Reuters, AFP)

&nbsp;

Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe passed away on Friday at the age of 95 after battling ill-health. Mugabe died in Singapore, where he has often received medical treatment in recent years, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe passed away on Friday at the age of 95 after battling ill-health. Mugabe died in Singapore, where he has often received medical treatment in recent years, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. "It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe," a post on Mnangagwa's official presidential Twitter account said. In November, Mnangagwa said Mugabe was no longer able to walk when he had been admitted to a hospital in Singapore, without saying what treatment Mugabe had been undergoing. Officials often said he was being treated for a cataract, denying frequent private media reports that he had prostate cancer. Mugabe, who ruled the southern African nation for nearly four decades since independence from Britain in 1980, was forced to resign in November 2017 after an army coup. Once hailed as a model African democrat, Mugabe had clung to power for years despite a worsening political and economic crisis that critics blame on his policies. Born in February 1924 on the Kutama Mission, northwest of Harare, Mugabe was educated by Jesuits. He earned seven university degrees, three while in prison. Mugabe was jailed for 10 years in 1964 for opposing white minority rule. A guerrilla war began in 1972 against Ian Smith’s white government of then-Rhodesia. He became leader of the ZANU liberation movement in the mid-1970s after his release from jail. The renamed ZANU-PF won independence elections in 1980 and Mugabe became prime minister. He took office as president in 1987 after a change in the constitution. In 2000, Mugabe tasted defeat when voters in a referendum rejected a constitution that would have given him more power. He turned on the small white minority, blaming them. Mugabe pushed legislation through parliament allowing his government to seize white-owned farms. Self-styled war veterans occupied many other farms, often using violence. His party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the March 2008 elections. Mugabe, who held power since independence from British colonial rule in 1980, presided over Zimbabwe's decline from a regional power with huge potential, to a ruined country from which millions fled. Many hoped his fall would mark a new era for the country and a re-birth of its economy, but Chihota says business at his plastic manufacturing firm is at its slowest since he started eight years ago. In 2017, when Mugabe reached the age of 93, a long-brewing succession battle burst into the open. The election result was also engulfed by accusations of fraud and opposition supporters and activists have since complained about constant harassment. Mnangagwa, who secured his hold on power by winning disputed elections in July, 2018, had pledged to revive the economy, attract foreign investment, and create jobs. (Inputs from Reuters, AFP)

Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe passes away at 95

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe was feted as an<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-zimbabwe-president-robert-mugabe-passes-away-at-95-247895"> African liberation her</a>o and champion of racial reconciliation when he first came to power in a nation divided by nearly a century of white colonial rule.

Nearly four decades later, many at home and abroad denounced him as a power-obsessed autocrat willing to unleash death squads, rig elections and trash the economy in the relentless pursuit of control.

Mugabe, who died in Singapore aged 95, was ultimately ousted by his own armed forces in November 2017.

He demonstrated his tenacity - some might say stubbornness - to the last, refusing to accept his expulsion from his own ZANU-PF party and clinging on for a week until parliament started to impeach him after the de facto coup.

His resignation triggered wild celebrations across the country of 13 million. For Mugabe, it was an "unconstitutional and humiliating" act of betrayal by his party and people and left him a broken man.

Confined for the remaining years of his life between Singapore where he was receiving medical treatment and his sprawling "Blue Roof" mansion in Harare, an ailing Mugabe could only observe from afar the political stage where he once strode tall. He was bitter to the end over the manner of his exit.

On the eve of the July 2018 election, the first without him, he told reporters he would vote for the opposition, something unthinkable only a few months before.

Educated and urbane, Mugabe took power in 1980 after seven years of a liberation bush war and - until the army's takeover - was the only leader Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, knew since independence from Britain.

But as the economy imploded starting from 2000 and his mental and physical health waned, Mugabe found fewer people to trust as he seemingly smoothed a path to the succession for his wife Grace, four decades his junior and known to her critics as "Gucci Grace" for her reputed fondness for luxury shopping.

"It's the end of a very painful and sad chapter in the history of a young nation, in which a dictator, as he became old, surrendered his court to a gang of thieves around his wife," Chris Mutsvangwa, leader of Zimbabwe's influential liberation war veterans, told Reuters after Mugabe's removal.

'A jewel'

Born on Feb. 21, 1924, on a Roman Catholic mission near Harare, Mugabe was educated by Jesuit priests and worked as a primary school teacher before going to South Africa's University of Fort Hare, then a breeding ground for African nationalism.

Returning to then-Rhodesia in 1960, he entered politics but was jailed for a decade four years later for opposing white rule.

When his infant son died of malaria in Ghana in 1966, Mugabe was denied parole to attend the funeral, a decision by the government of white-minority leader Ian Smith that historians say played a part in explaining Mugabe's subsequent bitterness.

After his release, he rose to the top of the powerful Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, known as the "thinking man's guerrilla" on account of his seven degrees, three of them earned behind bars.

Later, as he crushed his political enemies, he boasted of another qualification: "a degree in violence".

After the war ended in 1980, Mugabe was elected the nation's first black prime minister.

"You have inherited a jewel in Africa. Don't tarnish it," Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere told him during the independence celebrations in Harare.

Initially, Mugabe offered forgiveness and reconciliation to old foreign and domestic adversaries, including Smith, who remained on his farm and continued to receive a government pension.

In his early years, he presided over a booming economy, spending money on roads and dams and expanding schooling for black Zimbabweans as part of a wholesale dismantling of the racial discrimination of colonial days.

With black and white tension easing, by the mid-1980s many whites who had fled to Britain or South Africa, then still under the yoke of apartheid, were trying to come home.

No challenges

But it was not long before Mugabe began to suppress challengers, including liberation war rival Joshua Nkomo.

Faced with a revolt in the mid-1980s in the western province of Matabeleland that he blamed on Nkomo, Mugabe sent in North Korean-trained army units, provoking an international outcry over alleged atrocities against civilians.

Human rights groups say 20,000 people died, most of them from the minority Ndebele tribe from which Nkomo's partisans were largely drawn. The discovery of mass graves prompted accusations of genocide.

After two terms as prime minister, Mugabe tightened his grip on power by changing the constitution, and he became president in 1987. His first wife, Sally, who had been seen by many as the only person capable of restraining him, died in 1992.

A turning point came at the end of the decade when Mugabe, by now a leader unaccustomed to accommodating the will of the people, suffered his first major defeat at the hands of voters, in a referendum on another constitution. He blamed his loss on the white minority, chastising them as "enemies of Zimbabwe".

Days later, a groundswell of black anger at the slow pace of land reform started boiling over and gangs of black Zimbabweans calling themselves war veterans started to overrun white-owned farms.

Mugabe's response was uncompromising, labelling the invasions a correction of colonial injustices.

"Perhaps we made a mistake by not finishing the war in the trenches," he said in 2000. "If the settlers had been defeated through the barrel of a gun, perhaps we would not be having the same problems."

The farm seizures helped ruin one of Africa's most dynamic economies, with a collapse in agricultural foreign exchange earnings unleashing hyperinflation.

The economy shrank by more than a third from 2000 to 2008, sending unemployment above 80 per cent. Several million Zimbabweans fled, mostly to South Africa.

Brushing aside criticism, Mugabe portrayed himself as a radical African nationalist competing against racist and imperialist forces in Washington and London.

Rock bottom

The country hit rock bottom in 2008 when 500 billion per cent inflation drove people to support the challenge of Western-backed former union leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Facing defeat in a presidential run-off, Mugabe resorted to violence, forcing Tsvangirai to withdraw after scores of his supporters were killed by ZANU-PF thugs.

South Africa, Zimbabwe's neighbour to the south, squeezed the pair into a fractious unity coalition but the compromise belied Mugabe's grip on power through his continued control of the army, police and secret service.

As old age crept in and rumours of cancer intensified, his animosity towards Tsvangirai eased and the two men enjoyed weekly meetings over tea and scones, in a nod to Mugabe's affection for British traditions.

On the eve of the 2013 election, Mugabe dismissed cries of autocracy and likened dealing with Tsvangirai to sparring in the ring. "Although we boxed each other, it's not as hostile as before," he told reporters.

Even as he spoke, Mugabe's agents were busy finalising plans to engineer an election victory through manipulation of the voters' roll, according to the Tsvangirai camp.

It was typical of Mugabe's ability to out-think - and if necessary out-fight - his opponents, a trait that drew grudging respect from even his sternest critics.

Writing in a 2007 cable released by WikiLeaks, then-U.S. ambassador to Harare Christopher Dell reflected the views of many: "To give the devil his due, he is a brilliant tactician."

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe was feted as an African liberation hero and champion of racial reconciliation when he first came to power in a nation divided by nearly a century of white colonial rule.

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe was feted as an African liberation hero and champion of racial reconciliation when he first came to power in a nation divided by nearly a century of white colonial rule. Nearly four decades later, many at home and abroad denounced him as a power-obsessed autocrat willing to unleash death squads, rig elections and trash the economy in the relentless pursuit of control. Mugabe, who died in Singapore aged 95, was ultimately ousted by his own armed forces in November 2017. He demonstrated his tenacity - some might say stubbornness - to the last, refusing to accept his expulsion from his own ZANU-PF party and clinging on for a week until parliament started to impeach him after the de facto coup. His resignation triggered wild celebrations across the country of 13 million. For Mugabe, it was an "unconstitutional and humiliating" act of betrayal by his party and people and left him a broken man. Confined for the remaining years of his life between Singapore where he was receiving medical treatment and his sprawling "Blue Roof" mansion in Harare, an ailing Mugabe could only observe from afar the political stage where he once strode tall. He was bitter to the end over the manner of his exit. On the eve of the July 2018 election, the first without him, he told reporters he would vote for the opposition, something unthinkable only a few months before. Educated and urbane, Mugabe took power in 1980 after seven years of a liberation bush war and - until the army's takeover - was the only leader Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, knew since independence from Britain. But as the economy imploded starting from 2000 and his mental and physical health waned, Mugabe found fewer people to trust as he seemingly smoothed a path to the succession for his wife Grace, four decades his junior and known to her critics as "Gucci Grace" for her reputed fondness for luxury shopping. "It's the end of a very painful and sad chapter in the history of a young nation, in which a dictator, as he became old, surrendered his court to a gang of thieves around his wife," Chris Mutsvangwa, leader of Zimbabwe's influential liberation war veterans, told Reuters after Mugabe's removal. 'A jewel' Born on Feb. 21, 1924, on a Roman Catholic mission near Harare, Mugabe was educated by Jesuit priests and worked as a primary school teacher before going to South Africa's University of Fort Hare, then a breeding ground for African nationalism. Returning to then-Rhodesia in 1960, he entered politics but was jailed for a decade four years later for opposing white rule. When his infant son died of malaria in Ghana in 1966, Mugabe was denied parole to attend the funeral, a decision by the government of white-minority leader Ian Smith that historians say played a part in explaining Mugabe's subsequent bitterness. After his release, he rose to the top of the powerful Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, known as the "thinking man's guerrilla" on account of his seven degrees, three of them earned behind bars. Later, as he crushed his political enemies, he boasted of another qualification: "a degree in violence". After the war ended in 1980, Mugabe was elected the nation's first black prime minister. "You have inherited a jewel in Africa. Don't tarnish it," Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere told him during the independence celebrations in Harare. Initially, Mugabe offered forgiveness and reconciliation to old foreign and domestic adversaries, including Smith, who remained on his farm and continued to receive a government pension. In his early years, he presided over a booming economy, spending money on roads and dams and expanding schooling for black Zimbabweans as part of a wholesale dismantling of the racial discrimination of colonial days. With black and white tension easing, by the mid-1980s many whites who had fled to Britain or South Africa, then still under the yoke of apartheid, were trying to come home. No challenges But it was not long before Mugabe began to suppress challengers, including liberation war rival Joshua Nkomo. Faced with a revolt in the mid-1980s in the western province of Matabeleland that he blamed on Nkomo, Mugabe sent in North Korean-trained army units, provoking an international outcry over alleged atrocities against civilians. Human rights groups say 20,000 people died, most of them from the minority Ndebele tribe from which Nkomo's partisans were largely drawn. The discovery of mass graves prompted accusations of genocide. After two terms as prime minister, Mugabe tightened his grip on power by changing the constitution, and he became president in 1987. His first wife, Sally, who had been seen by many as the only person capable of restraining him, died in 1992. A turning point came at the end of the decade when Mugabe, by now a leader unaccustomed to accommodating the will of the people, suffered his first major defeat at the hands of voters, in a referendum on another constitution. He blamed his loss on the white minority, chastising them as "enemies of Zimbabwe". Days later, a groundswell of black anger at the slow pace of land reform started boiling over and gangs of black Zimbabweans calling themselves war veterans started to overrun white-owned farms. Mugabe's response was uncompromising, labelling the invasions a correction of colonial injustices. "Perhaps we made a mistake by not finishing the war in the trenches," he said in 2000. "If the settlers had been defeated through the barrel of a gun, perhaps we would not be having the same problems." The farm seizures helped ruin one of Africa's most dynamic economies, with a collapse in agricultural foreign exchange earnings unleashing hyperinflation. The economy shrank by more than a third from 2000 to 2008, sending unemployment above 80 per cent. Several million Zimbabweans fled, mostly to South Africa. Brushing aside criticism, Mugabe portrayed himself as a radical African nationalist competing against racist and imperialist forces in Washington and London. Rock bottom The country hit rock bottom in 2008 when 500 billion per cent inflation drove people to support the challenge of Western-backed former union leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Facing defeat in a presidential run-off, Mugabe resorted to violence, forcing Tsvangirai to withdraw after scores of his supporters were killed by ZANU-PF thugs. South Africa, Zimbabwe's neighbour to the south, squeezed the pair into a fractious unity coalition but the compromise belied Mugabe's grip on power through his continued control of the army, police and secret service. As old age crept in and rumours of cancer intensified, his animosity towards Tsvangirai eased and the two men enjoyed weekly meetings over tea and scones, in a nod to Mugabe's affection for British traditions. On the eve of the 2013 election, Mugabe dismissed cries of autocracy and likened dealing with Tsvangirai to sparring in the ring. "Although we boxed each other, it's not as hostile as before," he told reporters. Even as he spoke, Mugabe's agents were busy finalising plans to engineer an election victory through manipulation of the voters' roll, according to the Tsvangirai camp. It was typical of Mugabe's ability to out-think - and if necessary out-fight - his opponents, a trait that drew grudging respect from even his sternest critics. Writing in a 2007 cable released by WikiLeaks, then-U.S. ambassador to Harare Christopher Dell reflected the views of many: "To give the devil his due, he is a brilliant tactician."

Life and times of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe: From liberator to oppressor

Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler Britain said Zimbabweans had "suffered for too long" under former president Robert Mugabe, who died Friday. "We express our condolences to those who mourn Robert Mugabe's death.

Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler Britain said Zimbabweans had "suffered for too long" under former president Robert Mugabe, who died Friday. "We express our condolences to those who mourn Robert Mugabe's death. However, Zimbabweans suffered for too long as a result of Mugabe's autocratic role," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It noted "mixed emotions" in Zimbabwe at the death of Mugabe, adding, "We hope that in this new era, Zimbabwe can continue to be set on a more democratic and prosperous path." Mugabe won the 1980 elections at the end of a black nationalist guerrilla war against white-minority rule in the rebel colony of Rhodesia. Peter Hain, a leading anti-apartheid campaigner, told AFP he was "elated" at the time. "It was a huge moment in history when he became president in a landslide and all of us cheered him on at the time." But he said Mugabe then "betrayed all of those values of justice and human rights and democracy under the freedom struggle and became a corrupt dictator". In 2000, Mugabe's supporters violently took over white-owned farms a watershed moment in relations between the West and their protege. Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 from the Commonwealth, a grouping of former British colonies, and pulled out voluntarily in 2003. Last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa applied to rejoin the Commonwealth after ousting Mugabe.

Zimbabweans 'suffered for too long' under Mugabe: UK

*By Dhriti Sharan 
 
Not much has changed for Zimbabwe since the exit of its authoritarian ex-prime minister Robert Mugabe in a military coup in 2017 after year-long protests. &nbsp;

The country is still sinking in the economic decline. For a nation that was once known to be 'Jewel of Africa', Zimbabwe now faces its most dangerous economic crisis in a decade. How is it that a country which almost tasted liberation went back to the regression it was wanting freedom from? &nbsp;

Back in 2017, when the country was rocked with the strike called ''stay- away day", an angry Zimbabwean population demanded civil servants to be paid on time, for officers to stop harassing the common man for cash and the ban on import goods to be lifted. &nbsp;

As the economy collapsed, things looked bleak for Zimbabwe with even the then finance minister Patrick Chinamasa admitting, "Right now we literally have nothing".&nbsp;

Taking things into their own hands, the army put Robert Mugabe on house arrest under the coup d'état carried out by the army. The ruling party Zimbabwe African Nationa Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) forced Mugabe to resign and elected the party's senior official Emmerson Mnangagwa as it's president. &nbsp;

People rejoiced in the streets of the nation's capital Harare thinking that their economic woes and tryst with corruption and autocracy was long gone only to be proved terribly wrong. &nbsp;

If Mugabe was accused of being a dictator, Emmerson Mnangagwa now finds himself under the same fire. &nbsp;

While he promised the nation to put an end to corruption, human rights violations, economic mismanagement, widespread unemployment and fascism, Zimbabwe hasn't experienced any life-changing development. &nbsp;

As the country is gripped with fresh protests against economic woes, it feels like history is repeating itself. &nbsp;

Protestors from Harare are being silenced with batons, whips and tear gas. Dozens lie wounded on the streets while some are being arrested. Zimbabwe police have released an official statement banning the protests and warned that anyone taking part in the protests would be "committing a crime". Since when did it become criminal to peacefully demonstrate? &nbsp;

The unprecedented violence and the government's lack of willingness to pay heed to their people's problems is a sharp reminder of the fascism prevalent even now in Zimbabwe. &nbsp;

Though Mnangagwa said that he is open to national dialogue, the abduction of political activists and blood on the streets tell a different story. Prominent members of the opposition have been targeted with armed groups including Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) strategist, Tendai Biti. &nbsp;

However, violence seems to be the least important of the problems for most Zimbabweans right now as they go days without having meals and struggle with eighteen hour-long power cuts. &nbsp;

Industries function at night when electricity gets restored for a few hours. Freshwater taps run only once a week. 
 
Zimbabwe, that was once known to be the breadbasket of Africa, now has 5 million victims of food shortage who go days without eating one proper square meal. The government's systematic destruction of the agricultural sector by seizing white commercial farms has left the country with no bread and grains to eat.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The lack of food is making it worse for the population to deal with health epidemics like cholera coupled with a dilapidated, broken health system. &nbsp;

Fuel prices have skyrocketed despite its shortage. &nbsp;

Triple-digit inflation takes us back to 2009 when the country went through hyperinflation and was forced to ditch it's own currency; changing to the US dollar. &nbsp;

Despite the horror happening in Zimbabwe, the international community has maintained a stoic silence. No person in power, no country has stepped up to condemn the violence that has ensued in a nation that hasn't known democracy for the longest ever time. &nbsp;

Over the past months, the situations in Hong Kong and Afghanistan have drawn the attention of many European nations but Zimbabwe isn't even being talked about on our timelines.&nbsp;

UK and Europe must stand for the innocent citizens of Zimbabwe and hold Emmerson, a leader they’d backed during the 2017 years elections, accountable for his failed, undemocratic socio-economic policies. &nbsp;

International actors including the UN must put a united front to demand Mngagwe to immediately withdraw the use of excessive police force and exercise its constitution within democratic norms. &nbsp;

Africa, as a united continent, must offer solutions to kickstart a formal justice serving process. &nbsp;

Negotiations between the main political players of Zimbabwe is unlikely to happen without the intervention of the international community. &nbsp;

Zimbabwe cannot survive alone at this point. It surely needs help to heal the nationwide trauma it's dealing with and change its path to liberation from dictatorship and decline. &nbsp; 
 
*(Dhriti Saran is an editorial intern with WION) 
 
&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

*By Dhriti Sharan Not much has changed for Zimbabwe since the exit of its authoritarian ex-prime minister Robert Mugabe in a military coup in 2017 after year-long protests.

*By Dhriti Sharan Not much has changed for Zimbabwe since the exit of its authoritarian ex-prime minister Robert Mugabe in a military coup in 2017 after year-long protests. The country is still sinking in the economic decline. For a nation that was once known to be 'Jewel of Africa', Zimbabwe now faces its most dangerous economic crisis in a decade. How is it that a country which almost tasted liberation went back to the regression it was wanting freedom from? Back in 2017, when the country was rocked with the strike called ''stay- away day", an angry Zimbabwean population demanded civil servants to be paid on time, for officers to stop harassing the common man for cash and the ban on import goods to be lifted. As the economy collapsed, things looked bleak for Zimbabwe with even the then finance minister Patrick Chinamasa admitting, "Right now we literally have nothing". Taking things into their own hands, the army put Robert Mugabe on house arrest under the coup d'état carried out by the army. The ruling party Zimbabwe African Nationa Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) forced Mugabe to resign and elected the party's senior official Emmerson Mnangagwa as it's president. People rejoiced in the streets of the nation's capital Harare thinking that their economic woes and tryst with corruption and autocracy was long gone only to be proved terribly wrong. If Mugabe was accused of being a dictator, Emmerson Mnangagwa now finds himself under the same fire. While he promised the nation to put an end to corruption, human rights violations, economic mismanagement, widespread unemployment and fascism, Zimbabwe hasn't experienced any life-changing development. As the country is gripped with fresh protests against economic woes, it feels like history is repeating itself. Protestors from Harare are being silenced with batons, whips and tear gas. Dozens lie wounded on the streets while some are being arrested. Zimbabwe police have released an official statement banning the protests and warned that anyone taking part in the protests would be "committing a crime". Since when did it become criminal to peacefully demonstrate? The unprecedented violence and the government's lack of willingness to pay heed to their people's problems is a sharp reminder of the fascism prevalent even now in Zimbabwe. Though Mnangagwa said that he is open to national dialogue, the abduction of political activists and blood on the streets tell a different story. Prominent members of the opposition have been targeted with armed groups including Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) strategist, Tendai Biti. However, violence seems to be the least important of the problems for most Zimbabweans right now as they go days without having meals and struggle with eighteen hour-long power cuts. Industries function at night when electricity gets restored for a few hours. Freshwater taps run only once a week. Zimbabwe, that was once known to be the breadbasket of Africa, now has 5 million victims of food shortage who go days without eating one proper square meal. The government's systematic destruction of the agricultural sector by seizing white commercial farms has left the country with no bread and grains to eat. The lack of food is making it worse for the population to deal with health epidemics like cholera coupled with a dilapidated, broken health system. Fuel prices have skyrocketed despite its shortage. Triple-digit inflation takes us back to 2009 when the country went through hyperinflation and was forced to ditch it's own currency; changing to the US dollar. Despite the horror happening in Zimbabwe, the international community has maintained a stoic silence. No person in power, no country has stepped up to condemn the violence that has ensued in a nation that hasn't known democracy for the longest ever time. Over the past months, the situations in Hong Kong and Afghanistan have drawn the attention of many European nations but Zimbabwe isn't even being talked about on our timelines. UK and Europe must stand for the innocent citizens of Zimbabwe and hold Emmerson, a leader they’d backed during the 2017 years elections, accountable for his failed, undemocratic socio-economic policies. International actors including the UN must put a united front to demand Mngagwe to immediately withdraw the use of excessive police force and exercise its constitution within democratic norms. Africa, as a united continent, must offer solutions to kickstart a formal justice serving process. Negotiations between the main political players of Zimbabwe is unlikely to happen without the intervention of the international community. Zimbabwe cannot survive alone at this point. It surely needs help to heal the nationwide trauma it's dealing with and change its path to liberation from dictatorship and decline. *(Dhriti Saran is an editorial intern with WION) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Zimbabwe escalating crisis: Common people bear the brunt

Chaos in Zimbabwe; nation struggles with economic and political crisis

Zimbabwe police fired tear gas and beat scores of opposition supporters gathered in central Harare on Friday (August 16), as authorities moved to enforce a ban on an anti-government protest that the country's high court had upheld.

WION Fineprint: Zimbabwe police fire tear gas, beat up protesters

Zimbabwe police fired tear gas and beat scores of opposition supporters gathered in central Harare on Friday, as authorities moved to enforce a ban on an anti-government protest that the country's high court had upheld.

More than a hundred Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters defied the ban, witnesses said. They clashed with police who fired tear gas and water cannon, chasing them from one of the city's main squares with batons and drafting in reinforcements to prevent the group from re-assembling.

Friday's street demonstration was to have been the first in a nationwide series of protests organised by the MDC, which accuses Emmerson Mnangagwa's government of state-sponsored violence, corruption and economic mismanagement.

But with armed police having barred access to the party's Harare offices and its court appeal against the ban having failed, it called the protest off, denouncing what it labelled the actions of a fascist government.

The ban - announced late on Thursday by police who said any demonstrators would be committing a crime - had exposed the government's true colours, party Vice President Tendai Biti told reporters outside the court.

"The constitution guarantees the right to demonstration ... yet this fascist regime has denied and proscribed this right to the people of Zimbabwe," he said on Friday.

"...We have jumped from the frying pan into the fire after the coup of November 2017... We don't accept the conduct of this regime, the conduct of Mr Mnangagwa."

In Geneva, a spokesman for the UN human rights commissioner urged the government to engage with citizens on legitimate economic grievances and "stop cracking down on peaceful protesters."

The series of demonstrations has been widely viewed as a test of how Mnangagwa, who has so far this year failed to make good on promises of political and economic reform, responds to dissent in a country tainted by a long history of repression.

Elected after the armed forces intervened to oust Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa has said he aims to break with the long legacy of repression that characterised much of his predecessor's 37 years in power.

But the economy is mired in its worst crisis in a decade, and Mnangagwa is struggling to convince the growing ranks of poor citizens that his government's austerity measures and reforms can trigger a recovery.

Zimbabweans had also expected last year's vote to usher in a new dawn of expanded political rights and an end to the country's international pariah status, but instead, the elections left the country more polarised.

Apparatus of the state

In January, a violent security crackdown in Harare against fuel demonstrations left more than a dozen people dead.

Days ahead of the planned Harare demonstration, six political activists were abducted from their homes at night and beaten by armed men, a coalition of rights groups said.

On Friday, the apparatus of state was out in force again and the city's streets were unusually quiet.

Reuters witnesses saw police and armed soldiers searching buses, taxis and private vehicles at checkpoints and randomly asking for identity documents.

One woman was taken to hospital by ambulance after sustaining a deep gush on her head when baton-wielding police charged at MDC supporters.

"We want change because we are tired of promises. We are tired, enough is enough," MDC member Patience Gurure told Reuters moments before police dispersed the group.

By 12 noon (1000 GMT), businesses, including banks and shops, had closed. The few employees who had come to work were told to go home.

Anger is mounting as Zimbabweans grapple with soaring inflation, rolling power cuts and shortages of US dollars, fuel and bread.

In a letter to church leaders published on Friday in the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa said the economic hardship had its roots in sanctions imposed by the West more than a decade ago as well as a severe drought this year.

He also said MDC leader Nelson Chamisa had rejected his invitation to dialogue meant to resolve Zimbabwe's political and economic problems. Chamisa has said he will only sit down with Mnangagwa if there is a neutral arbiter.

"The doors of national dialogue are still open to all political leaders including to the leader of the MDC," Mnangagwa said.

While political leaders argue, wages and pensions continue to be eroded by triple-digit inflation, bringing back bad memories of the hyperinflation of a decade ago, which forced the country to ditch its currency.

Zimbabwe police fired tear gas and beat scores of opposition supporters gathered in central Harare on Friday, as authorities moved to enforce a ban on an anti-government protest that the country's high court had upheld.

Zimbabwe police fired tear gas and beat scores of opposition supporters gathered in central Harare on Friday, as authorities moved to enforce a ban on an anti-government protest that the country's high court had upheld. More than a hundred Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters defied the ban, witnesses said. They clashed with police who fired tear gas and water cannon, chasing them from one of the city's main squares with batons and drafting in reinforcements to prevent the group from re-assembling. Friday's street demonstration was to have been the first in a nationwide series of protests organised by the MDC, which accuses Emmerson Mnangagwa's government of state-sponsored violence, corruption and economic mismanagement. But with armed police having barred access to the party's Harare offices and its court appeal against the ban having failed, it called the protest off, denouncing what it labelled the actions of a fascist government. The ban - announced late on Thursday by police who said any demonstrators would be committing a crime - had exposed the government's true colours, party Vice President Tendai Biti told reporters outside the court. "The constitution guarantees the right to demonstration ... yet this fascist regime has denied and proscribed this right to the people of Zimbabwe," he said on Friday. "...We have jumped from the frying pan into the fire after the coup of November 2017... We don't accept the conduct of this regime, the conduct of Mr Mnangagwa." In Geneva, a spokesman for the UN human rights commissioner urged the government to engage with citizens on legitimate economic grievances and "stop cracking down on peaceful protesters." The series of demonstrations has been widely viewed as a test of how Mnangagwa, who has so far this year failed to make good on promises of political and economic reform, responds to dissent in a country tainted by a long history of repression. Elected after the armed forces intervened to oust Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa has said he aims to break with the long legacy of repression that characterised much of his predecessor's 37 years in power. But the economy is mired in its worst crisis in a decade, and Mnangagwa is struggling to convince the growing ranks of poor citizens that his government's austerity measures and reforms can trigger a recovery. Zimbabweans had also expected last year's vote to usher in a new dawn of expanded political rights and an end to the country's international pariah status, but instead, the elections left the country more polarised. Apparatus of the state In January, a violent security crackdown in Harare against fuel demonstrations left more than a dozen people dead. Days ahead of the planned Harare demonstration, six political activists were abducted from their homes at night and beaten by armed men, a coalition of rights groups said. On Friday, the apparatus of state was out in force again and the city's streets were unusually quiet. Reuters witnesses saw police and armed soldiers searching buses, taxis and private vehicles at checkpoints and randomly asking for identity documents. One woman was taken to hospital by ambulance after sustaining a deep gush on her head when baton-wielding police charged at MDC supporters. "We want change because we are tired of promises. We are tired, enough is enough," MDC member Patience Gurure told Reuters moments before police dispersed the group. By 12 noon (1000 GMT), businesses, including banks and shops, had closed. The few employees who had come to work were told to go home. Anger is mounting as Zimbabweans grapple with soaring inflation, rolling power cuts and shortages of US dollars, fuel and bread. In a letter to church leaders published on Friday in the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa said the economic hardship had its roots in sanctions imposed by the West more than a decade ago as well as a severe drought this year. He also said MDC leader Nelson Chamisa had rejected his invitation to dialogue meant to resolve Zimbabwe's political and economic problems. Chamisa has said he will only sit down with Mnangagwa if there is a neutral arbiter. "The doors of national dialogue are still open to all political leaders including to the leader of the MDC," Mnangagwa said. While political leaders argue, wages and pensions continue to be eroded by triple-digit inflation, bringing back bad memories of the hyperinflation of a decade ago, which forced the country to ditch its currency.

Zimbabwe police beat protesters as opposition denounces 'fascist' government

Zimbabwe's main opposition MDC party succumbed on Friday to pressure from what it labelled a fascist government, calling off a street protest as armed police set up roadblocks and barred access to its Harare offices.

Zimbabwe's main opposition MDC party succumbed on Friday to pressure from what it labelled a fascist government, calling off a street protest as armed police set up roadblocks and barred access to its Harare offices. Friday's demonstration was to have been the first in a series planned by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which accuses the government of corruption and economic mismanagement. The protests are widely viewed as a test of how President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has so far this year failed to make good on promises of political and economic reform, responds to dissent in a country tainted by a long history of repression. Police late on Thursday banned the Harare event and said anyone taking part would be committing a crime, and a High Court judge early on Friday dismissed an application by the party to overturn that ban. The ban, which the MDC would not appeal, had exposed the government's "true colours," party Vice President Tendai Biti told reporters outside the court. "The constitution guarantees the right to a demonstration ... yet this fascist regime has denied and proscribed this right to the people of Zimbabwe," he said. "...We have jumped from the frying pan into the fire after the coup of November 2017... We don't accept the conduct of this regime, the conduct of Mr Mnangagwa." Elected after the armed forces intervened to oust Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa has said he aims to break with the long legacy of repression that characterised much of his predecessor's 37 years in power. But the economy is mired in its worst crisis in a decade, and Mnangagwa is struggling to convince the growing ranks of poor citizens that his government's austerity measures and reforms can trigger a recovery. Zimbabweans had also expected last year's vote to usher in a new dawn of expanded political rights and an end to the country's international pariah status, but instead, the elections left the country more polarised. APPARATUS OF THE STATE In January, a violent security crackdown in Harare against fuel demonstrations left more than a dozen people dead. Days ahead of the planned Harare demonstration, six political activists were abducted from their homes at night and beaten by armed men, a coalition of rights groups said. On Friday, the apparatus of the state was out in force again and the city's streets were unusually quiet. Reuters witnesses saw police and armed soldiers searching buses, taxis and private vehicles at checkpoints and randomly asking for identity documents. More than a hundred opposition supporters chanted party slogans and sang near a square in central Harare where protesters had been set to assemble but were chased away by baton-wielding police. One woman was taken to hospital by ambulance after sustaining a deep gash on her heard. Police also blocked roads to the MDC headquarters. Most businesses, including banks, were closed as workers stayed at home. A major supermarket chain nearby that had opened, quickly closed its doors fearing tensions would escalate. Anger is mounting as Zimbabweans grapple with soaring inflation, rolling power cuts and shortages of US dollars, fuel, and bread. In a letter to church leaders published on Friday in the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa said the economic hardship had its roots in sanctions imposed by the West more than a decade ago as well as a severe drought this year. He also said MDC leader Nelson Chamisa had rejected his invitation to dialogue meant to resolve Zimbabwe's political and economic problems. Chamisa has said he will only sit down with Mnangagwa if there is a neutral arbiter. "The doors of national dialogue are still open to all political leaders including to the leader of the MDC," Mnangagwa said. While political leaders argue, wages and pensions continue to be eroded by triple-digit inflation, bringing back bad memories of the hyperinflation of a decade ago, which forced the country to ditch its currency.

Under-eye of 'fascist' government, Zimbabwe opposition scraps Harare protest

Bangladesh will host Zimbabwe for a tri-nations Twenty20 tournament in September despite the African nation being suspended by the game's world body, an official of the Bangladesh Cricket Board said Thursday.

Bangladesh will host Zimbabwe for a tri-nations Twenty20 tournament in September despite the African nation being suspended by the game's world body, an official of the Bangladesh Cricket Board said Thursday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Zimbabwe in July over a failure to keep the sport free from government interference, putting the country's participation in multi-nation events in doubt. "We have been informed by the concerned officials that there is no bar on Zimbabwe playing in bilateral matches. They are only suspended from ICC events. This is why we included them in the series," BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP. Afghanistan is the third team in the tournament scheduled to be held from September 13 to 24. Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan in September, but officials said Zimbabwe had been included in the series following a request from the strife-torn country. The tri-series will be preceded by Afghanistan's maiden Test match against Bangladesh in Chittagong from September 5 to 9.

Bangladesh to host Zimbabwe despite ICC ban

Zimbabwe on Tuesday hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by up to 47 per cent effective immediately.&nbsp;

An announcement in this connection was made by&nbsp;Zimbabwe's energy regulator, a day after the central bank said oil firms would now buy dollars to import fuel on the interbank market.

The latest price increase had been expected and follows an earlier 150 per cent&nbsp;hike in January, which sparked violent street protests and led to the death of a dozen people after a security crackdown.

Zimbabwe on Tuesday hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by up to 47 per cent effective immediately. An announcement in this connection was made by Zimbabwe's energy regulator, a day after the central bank said oil firms would now buy dollars to import fuel on the interbank market.

Zimbabwe on Tuesday hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by up to 47 per cent effective immediately. An announcement in this connection was made by Zimbabwe's energy regulator, a day after the central bank said oil firms would now buy dollars to import fuel on the interbank market. The latest price increase had been expected and follows an earlier 150 per cent hike in January, which sparked violent street protests and led to the death of a dozen people after a security crackdown.

Zimbabwe hikes diesel, petrol prices by up to 47%: Energy regulator

Thousands displaced, acres of lands destroyed as Cyclone Idai wreaks havoc in Southern Africa

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