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Zimbabwe Police Say They Will Stop Protests Against New Tax


FILE - Opposition supporters arrested for violent protests arrive to submit bail applications at the Harare Magistrates Courts, in Harare, Zimbabwe, August 7,2018.
FILE - Opposition supporters arrested for violent protests arrive to submit bail applications at the Harare Magistrates Courts, in Harare, Zimbabwe, August 7,2018.

Police in Zimbabwe say they will stop planned protests in the capital against a new tax on money transfers.

A police spokesman Tuesday cited a recent order that outlaws public gatherings in Harare because of a deadly cholera outbreak.

However, critics say supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa have been allowed to hold rallies while opposition gatherings have been stopped. The planned protest was organized by pro-opposition labor groups.

Analysts say the government is intent on preventing demonstrations that could turn violent. Six people died in a military crackdown on the protests that erupted after Mnangagwa was elected two months ago.

Fifty people have died in Zimbabwe’s current cholera outbreak, and more than 10,000 are reported infected.

Despite the standing order, Mnangagwa will attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare. The event was originally suspended last month due to the outbreak.

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