Four people were feared dead on Monday while more than 20 people were treated for gunshot wounds as violent protests swept through Zimbabwe, after the government increased the price of fuel.
On Saturday night, President Emmerson Mnangagwa hiked the fuel with over 100%, triggering protests.
He implemented the following measures:
1) A fuel pump price set at $3.11 per litre for diesel, and $3.33 per litre for petrol.
2) We will grant a rebate to all registered business entities in Manufacturing, Mining, Commerce, Agriculture and Transport sectors, to be decided at a later date.
3) Enhance the export incentive scheme by an additional 2.5%
4) Implement immediate measures to ensure constant fuel supply into the country for sustainable fuel availability
5) Put in place a package of measures to cushion Government workers, until a full review of Cost-of-living Adjustment package due in April is effected (in the context of the current budget)
6) Begin a comprehensive audit of all fuel draw-downs to establish all misuse of fuel including politically motivated and criminal conduct.
Two people were reportedly shot in the populous high-density suburb of Harare, with another one about 30km south of the capital.
The fourth person was reportedly shot in Epworth.
The protestors barricaded several roads in both Harare and Bulawayo using boulders, burning tyres and logs. Businesses that opened for the day were shut down at around 11am.
The protests turned violent, with those travelling into town being beaten up and made to disembark from all public transport.
Official numbers for the deceased and injured were not immediately available.
- African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Devereaux Morkel
