Zimbabwe fuel protests: Difference between revisions
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| '''Injuries:''' *13<ref name="iolZM">{{Cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zimbabwe-police-fire-tear-gas-as-fuel-price-hike-protest-continues-18822841 |title=Zimbabwe police fire tear gas as fuel price hike protest continues | website=www.iol.co.za |language=en |access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> |
| '''Injuries:''' *13<ref name="iolZM">{{Cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/zimbabwe-police-fire-tear-gas-as-fuel-price-hike-protest-continues-18822841 |title=Zimbabwe police fire tear gas as fuel price hike protest continues | website=www.iol.co.za |language=en |access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> |
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| '''Deaths:''' *5-8<ref name="zimD" /><ref name="msn" /><ref name="busLiveP">{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/africa/2019-01-15-panicky-zimbabwe-government-shuts-down-internet/ |title=Panicky Zimbabwe government shuts down internet |last=Smaita |first=Kevin |date=15 January 2019 |website=www.businesslive.co.za |language=en |access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> |
| '''Deaths:''' *5-8<ref name="zimD" /><ref name="msn" /><ref name="busLiveP">{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/africa/2019-01-15-panicky-zimbabwe-government-shuts-down-internet/ |title=Panicky Zimbabwe government shuts down internet |last=Smaita |first=Kevin |date=15 January 2019 |website=www.businesslive.co.za |language=en |access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:37, 15 January 2019
| Zimbabwe fuel protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 14 January 2019 - ongoing | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | 130% increase in fuel prices | ||
| Goals | Elimination of the fuel price increase | ||
| Methods | Civil resistance, demonstrations, protest marches, rioting, picketing | ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Lead figures | |||
| Casualties and losses | |||
The Zimbabwe fuel protests began in Zimbabwe on 15 January 2019 following a 130 percent increase in the price of fuel by the government of Emmerson Mnangagwa. Thousands of Zimbabweans protested price increase, increasing levels of poverty, the poor state of the economy and declining standards of living.
Background
In an effort to improve the financial and fiscal situation of the country following the establishment of the Mnangagwa government in 2017 the government initiated on a number of austerity policies in an effort to kick-start the moribund economy.[5] By October 2018 foreign currency shortages led to large scale business closures and shortages of imported commodities including fuel.[6] This led to persistent fuel shortages, strikes by government workers, and a worsening economic environment.[7][8]
On Saturday the 12th January 2019 the government of Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that it would be doubling the price of fuel in Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Agency[9] as of midnight that night. Increasing the price of diesel from US$1.38 a litre to US$3.11 per litre and petrol from US$1.43 a litre to US$3.31 per litre representing an increase of almost 130 percent overnight.[7] Thereby making it the most expensive fuel in the world at the time.[2] Mnangagwa stated that the price increases were needed to reduce fuel shortages and illegal trading.[3] The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a three day strike in protest of the price increases.[2]
Protests
Protests began in the capital Harare on Monday the 14th January. In response the police and military launched a coordinated response that involved raiding the homes of some residents.[10] By the end of the day the government reported that three people including one policeman had died in the protests.[4] Non government sources reported that around 200 people were arrested and eight had been killed in the protests by police.[1][2] The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights stated that 13 people were injured due to gun shot wounds in the area of Harare.[3]
The government blamed the MDC-T for the protests.[4][11] MDC-T offices were attacked and torched during the protests with the MDC alleging that ZANU-PF supporters were responsible.[12]
In addition to Harare disturbances were also reported in the cities of Mutare and Bulawayo.[12]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "'Eight killed and 200 detained in Zimbabwe crackdown on fuel price protests' – Amnesty International". The Zimbabwe Daily. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Zimbabwe military quells fuel price protests; several deaths". MSN. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b c "Zimbabwe police fire tear gas as fuel price hike protest continues". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b c Smaita, Kevin (15 January 2019). "Panicky Zimbabwe government shuts down internet". www.businesslive.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ Elias, Mambo (24 November 2017). "Mnangagwa plans major policy shift". The Zimbabwe Independent. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Shops shut doors as Zimbabwe financial crisis deepens". www.iol.co.za. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b Ndlovu, Ray (12 January 2019). "Fuel price shock! Zim's petrol price to more than double". www.timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Where you wait seven hours and still get no fuel". BBC. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Protests follow massive Zimbabwe fuel price hike". www.defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Zimbabwe military quells fuel price hike protests; 8 killed". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ AFP. "Zimbabwe fuel protests turn deadly". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Zimbabwe opposition office torched". BBC. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.