Zimbabwe cities empty, security tight after protest call

A prisons officer walks past empty stalls as Zimbabweans stay away from school and work with most shops closed in the central business district in Harare on March 31, 2025. [AFP]

Police were out in force and businesses and offices closed in key Zimbabwe cities after authorities warned against demonstrations called for Monday to demand that President Emmerson Mnangagwa leave power.

Security forces patrolled city centres after warning people to ignore a call by a faction of Mnangagwa's own ZANU-PF party to demonstrate against the president, who took power in a coup eight years ago.