Zimbabwe: Nationwide anti-government demonstrations called for on August 31

Event

The anti-government July 31 Movement has called for demonstrations to be held across Zimbabwe on August 31. The movement's spokesperson Job Sikhala stated on Friday, August 21, that the demonstrations are being organized to denounce alleged government corruption, arbitrary arrests, and other human rights violations against citizens and opposition activists. Sikhala is reportedly in hiding due to his alleged involvement in recent anti-government protests against the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) party.

A heightened security presence and localized transport disruption are to be expected around planned protest sites.

Context

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government has been accused of failing to deal with corruption amid severe economic and health strains in Zimbabwe due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The country's health minister, Obadiah Moyo, was charged in June in connection with the awarding of a 60 million USD (47 million GBP) contract to a company allegedly selling COVID-19 supplies to the government at inflated prices. He was later released on bail.

Advice

Those in Zimbabwe are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.