TRUE Africa

‘This has never happened in the 36 years we have been independent’

A defiant national ‘stay-away’ is happening in Zimbabwe today amidst tensions between civilians and Mugabe’s government which blocked access to WhatsApp earlier this morning. 

Civil servants are on strike in protest at the government’s decision to delay paying their salaries. Images on Twitter show deserted streets as Zimbabweans stayed inside in an act of protest:

 

 

A resident in Harare who wished to remain anonymous told TRUE Africa ‘this has never happened in the 36 years we have been independent … Bulawayo is jumping’ and referred to violence between police and civilians in the town of Beitbridge that borders South Africa.

One altercation. Throwing stones. Bit of tear gas.

Another source, who runs a security company in Harare and has staff in Bulawayo, didn’t think the situation was so serious: ‘slight exaggeration. One altercation. Throwing stones. Bit of tear gas.’

Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party had its sites hacked and shut down by internet-hacking group Anonymous Africa.  Broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) was also shut down by the group who are tweeting updates on Twitter which, unlike WhatsApp, is still running in the country.

Please get in touch if you have more information. We’ll keep you update on continuing developments.