Zimbabwe opposition calls off protest after failed court bid to lift ban

Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition party called off a planned protest in Harare over austerity and rising living costs after a high court on Friday dismissed its application to have government's ban on the demonstration lifted. The party's spokesman, Daniel Molokele, said, however, it would go ahead with protests outside Harare planned for next week.

Police had banned the street demonstration, saying it would turn violent and warning that anyone who took part would be committing a crime.