The opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took to the streets of Harare on Friday.

The idea was that it would be the first in a series of demonstrations against the government accused of corruption. Inflation is high in the country. There is a shortage of bread and gasoline. And the dissatisfaction is great with President Emmerson Mnangagwa taking over after Robert Mugabe was forced out of power in 2017.

Prohibited the demonstration

But already in the days before the planned demonstrations, six political activists must have been picked up in their homes in the middle of the night and beaten. And on Thursday, the day before the planned demonstration, the police assumed that participation would be prohibited. The opposition tried to appeal the decision with reference to the demonstration court - but a court rejected their appeal.

However, when the opposition went out on the streets of the capital on Friday, the police struck immediately. According to Reuters, the police must have used tear gas and water cannons. Protesters must have been beaten with batons.

"Don't want to risk people's lives"

Pictures from Friday show damaged protesters being dragged from the streets. And during the afternoon, Swedish time, came the message from the opposition that they are blowing up the planned demonstrations.

- We do not want to risk people's lives by continuing to confront them. If we had chosen to do so, we would have had blood in the streets, says opposition leader Nelson Chamisa according to Reuters.

He continues:

- We will continue to mobilize but you will see a change in our strategy. We face a confrontation regime and then you have to have a tactic that stands above them.

According to Zimbabwe police, 91 people have been arrested in connection with the demonstrations.