Zimbabwe’s opposition and Civil Society groups are mobilizing citizens for a mass protest to demand the release of over a 100,000 people who have been arrested for flouting restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Over the past few days about 1,000 people have been arrested for not wearing face masks.
The opposition and CSOs are accusing the government of targeting its critics and opponents with the arrests for the COVID -19 violations.
Although the government has denied the claims, the parties and CSOs have planned to hit the streets next week to demand that President Emmerson Mnangagwa step down.
All Zimbabweans returning from abroad are required to remain in quarantine for three weeks at a government-approved facility.
But a total of 276 people had fled quarantine centres, including some who had tested positive.
Police say they have arrested 30 of them and they will be arraigned for exposing their families and communities to the virus.
The state broadcaster reported that two men had infected seven members of a family.
The Zimbabwean Police are also stepping up enforcement of the regulations as the country records more than 1,500 cases of COVID-19.
“Drinking dens had opened and “beer-drinking binges” were being held in backyards.We’ll be arresting all these violators,” Police spokesman Paul Nyathi was quoted by state television as saying.
Source: Africafeeds.com
