Source: Elsa Buchanan, IBTimes UK
Supporters of a protest movement in Zimbabwe have vowed to march to the nation’s government buildings until President Robert Mugabe steps down, despite of repression fears following reports of police brutality on protesters.
After almost four decades of quelled frustrations under Mugabe’s iron-fisted rule, a flurry of citizen or civil activism movements have been rising and spreading in the South African nation, and are calling for much yearned social, political and economic change – areas where they believe standard opposition politics have not delivered as hoped.
Two of these peaceful campaigns, known as #ThisFlag and Tajamuka/Sesjikile, have vowed to continue the struggle against the nation’s political leadership until Mugabe steps down, in spite of reports of a regain in brutality from the security forces on protesters in the capital Harare on 17 August.
Several people were left injured when dozens of police officers in riot gear fired tear gas and water cannon, and beat unarmed protesters with batons.
Obert Gutu, national spokesperson of the opposition MDC-T party – led by Morgan Tsvangirai on Twitter – condemned the ‘rogue state’s’ repression on the estimated 200 protesters carrying flowers for peace and holding posters reading: ‘Mugabe Must Go’.
Source: Elsa Buchanan, IBTimes UK