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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30418, member: 2262"] Zimbabwe cities saw heavy police presence as shops and offices shut down when officials warned against Monday protests demanding that President Mnangagwa step down. Security teams walked through downtown areas after telling people not to join demonstrations called by members of ZANU-PF, Mnangagwa's party. The president took control through a coup eight years ago. According to videos shared online, police broke up a small crowd trying to gather at President Robert Mugabe Square in Harare. One protester told CITE online media the march was planned as peaceful, but police started hitting people. She added she would stay put even if it meant dying for her children's future. The protests came from a ZANU-PF veteran following attempts by some party members to keep 82-year-old Mnangagwa in power past his 2028 term limit. Blessed Geza, who has been kicked out of ZANU-PF and remains in hiding, stated on social media that efforts to remove Mnangagwa had already started. Downtown Harare's main road stood empty, with retailers taking items from display windows. Schools closed, and taxi services stopped running completely. One local man, speaking anonymously, said nobody was around because they feared what might happen during protests. In Bulawayo, the second largest city, major stores and offices locked their doors. The usually busy produce market had just a few shoppers as police patrolled on horses and in vehicles throughout the day. Critics accuse Mnangagwa and his government of corruption and poor management, which created an economic crisis across the southern African nation. They also point to increased political oppression, which has severely weakened opposition groups. Geza leads veterans from the 1980 independence war who want Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to replace Mnangagwa. Chiwenga, a retired general, previously organized the coup against former leader, Mugabe. [/QUOTE]

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