Massive protest in Harare after fuel price hikes

Protesters have blocked roads in some parts in Zimbabwe's capital Harare after the government more than doubled the price of gasoline. Police deployed in large numbers in the city and few people ventured into the central business district on Monday, January 14. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the country's biggest labor federation, has called for a three-day strike this week.

Peter Mutasa, the labor federation president, says workers can't afford bus fares, which tripled in some cases. In the volatile Mabvuku and Epworth suburbs, residents barricaded roads and prevented public transport vehicles from operating in the area. Some people threw stones at cars.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana says the opposition, civil society groups and some foreign organizations are trying to use the fuel shortages and price increases to topple the government. A drastic rise of 150 percent all of a sudden in Zimbabwe's fuel prices failed on Sunday to ease a nationwide petrol and diesel shortage caused by a lack of hard currency.

With inputs from agency.