Zimbabwe observe a two-day national "shutdown" July 13 - 14,2016

Zimbabweans are being urged on social media and the messaging service WhatsApp to observe a two-day national "shutdown" in protest at the government's alleged mismanagement of the country.

A one-day stay away was organised last week and led to a complete shutdown of schools, businesses and shops across the country.

It was the biggest strike action since 2005.

Why are people protesting?

Zimbabwe has run out of money.

Last month, all civil servants were paid late. Soldiers and police were paid after a two-week delay and teachers and nurses were among those who were only paid in the wake of last week's stay away.

These salaries have to be paid in foreign currency as Zimbabwe abandoned its own currency in 2009 in order to stem runaway inflation.

As the country is importing more than it is exporting, it cannot pay its bills.

The coalition government formed with the opposition, which was in power from 2009 until 2013, halted the economic free-fall.

But things started to flounder again after President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party won elections in July 2013 on a mandate of "indigenisation" and a promise to create two million jobs.

This has required all companies to cede economic control to black Zimbabweans.

With echoes of country's land reform programme, which saw the seizure of land from some 4,000 white farmers, some detractors say this has discouraged much-needed foreign direct investment.

 Shutdown activists' 5 demands

1. Pay civil servants on time
2. Reduce roadblocks and stop officers harassing people for cash
3. President Robert Mugabe should fire and prosecute corrupt officials
4. Plans to introduce bond notes to ease a cash shortage should be abandoned
5. Remove a recent ban on imported goods.

 

Who is behind the protests?

Charismatic pastor Evan Mawarire began a social media movement in May under the hashtag #ThisFlag, when he spontaneously posted a video online, expressing his frustration at the state of the nation.

It went viral and spurred him to continue urging Zimbabweans to find their voice and demand accountability from their government.

His outspoken videos in English and Shona are careful to say that non-violence is key, but other agitators are not so guarded.

Younger activists under the banner Tajamuka, meaning "we strongly disagree", are less moderate.

How bad is the situation?

Many people literally cannot afford to feed themselves. This has been exacerbated by a severe drought - the worst in decades

Even if Zimbabweans have money in their bank accounts, strict limits have been imposed on how much they can withdraw, leading to long bank queues.

With unemployment at more than 90%, many rely on cross-border trading to make a living.

In an attempt to stop money leaving the country, last month the government banned the importation of many goods - from coffee creamers and body cream to beds and fertiliser.

This led to demonstrations at the South African border and a warehouse belonging to the tax agency used to hold seized goods was set alight in Beitbridge.

Ten days later, police in the capital, Harare, had to use tear gas and water cannons to break up a protest by minibus drivers who were angered at constant harassment at roadblocks by officers demanding bribes.