Zimbabwe police ban protests again

Zimbabwe’s police have reimposed a ban on protests in the capital for a month.

The move comes a week after the High Court suspended an earlier ban as the police had not followed correct procedures.

Opposition groups had planned a protest for Saturday.

Zimbabwe has been hit by a wave of street protests in recent months as tensions rise with worsening economic conditions.

Unemployment rate has risen above 80 percent amid cash shortages and many Zimbabweans have taken to social media to organize protests.

A former finance minister, Tendai Biti, who challenged the initial ban, said the law the police were using was unconstitutional.

Under security laws, police can ban demonstrations for up to a month if there is justification but can only do so after issuing a notice of their intention, to allow affected parties to make submissions.

Reuters