HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A Zimbabwean court has overturned a ban on demonstrations imposed by the police in the capital, Harare.

High Court judge Priscilla Chigumba on Wednesday ruled in favor of a group of 18 political parties challenging the ban, which affected the central business district.

Police had banned all demonstrations in the area for two weeks following a series of violent clashes with anti-government protesters.

The judge says the ban was invalid because it had been imposed without following correct procedure.

She says the ban also infringed on the rights of citizens.

This southern African country faces rising frustration over a plummeting economy and allegations of government mismanagement. </s> Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's high court on Wednesday overturned a two-week ban on protests in the capital Harare after a challenge from activists involved in a surge of demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe has vowed to crack down on the protests, which have erupted over recent months as Zimbabwe has been pitched into deepening economic crisis.

"The court has said the ban was unlawful," Tendai Biti, a lawyer and opposition party leader among those who brought the case to court, told journalists.

"The judgement is a very brave judgement. We are very proud that the court recognised the power it has (and) importantly that courts will adjudicate matters without fear and favour."

Mugabe, who has routinely crushed dissent since he came to power in 1980, last week criticised the country's courts after several anti-government protests turned violent.

Judges authorised an opposition demonstration in Harare on August 26 which degenerated into clashes between opposition supporters and security forces.

Mugabe later blasted judges for "reckless" rulings allowing demonstrations against his rule, saying he hoped they had "learnt a lesson".

Zimbabwe has suffered economic collapse over the last 15 years, with 90 percent of the population now not in formal employment.

The cash-strapped government has been slow to pay the salaries of public sector workers, including the military, while banks are running out of cash.

"The judgement is progressive. We are excited," Stendrick Zvorwadza, a protest leader and long-time critic of Mugabe, said after judge Priscilla Chigumba made her ruling.

"Like we have always been saying this (campaign) symbolises peace."

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who have represented scores of arrested protesters, said the ruling against the police ban on protest was "a victory for activists".

On Friday, another court denied bail to 58 people arrested during the August 26 protests when riot police fired tear gas, beat up several people and blocked off the site of an opposition demonstration in Harare.

Protesters fought back, throwing stones at police while some set tyres ablaze and pulled down the sign for a street named after Mugabe.

The demonstration -- which had been authorised by a court -- was to demand electoral reform before 2018 when Mugabe, 92, plans to stand for re-election.

Promise Mkwananzi, leader of the Tajamuka ("We are agitated") protest group, was also arrested at the protests and was denied bail when he appeared in court on public violence charges.

The last elections in 2013 were won by Mugabe in a vote the opposition said was rigged. </s> Zimbabwe's High Court has overturned a two-week ban on protests in the capital following a legal challenge from political activists.

Police banned rallies in Harare and the surrounding district on Thursday, after several violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters in recent weeks.

But Judge Priscilla Chigumba said on Wednesday that the official police note issued last week was "invalid" and curtailed citizens' rights.

"The court has said the ban was unlawful," lawyer Tendai Biti, a former finance minister who represented the activists, told journalists following the verdict.

Biti also said that the court had delivered "a brave judgment that asserts the independence" of the judiciary.

Zimbabwe has seen months of protests against alleged human rights abuses and the deterioration of the economy under President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the country since 1980.

Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa, reporting from the High Court in Harare, said some protesters were planning to go back to the streets as soon as this week.

"Their message is that they are unhappy with President Robert Mugabe; they say the economy is being run down, and some even say it's time for him to go."

Earlier this week, Mugabe accused the country's judiciary courts of being reckless in allowing several anti-government protests that later turned violent.

"We can't allow that to continue, [to have] these violent demonstrations unimpeded. No. Enough is enough," Mugabe said.

On Friday, a different court denied bail to 58 people arrested during protests on August 26 when riot police fired tear gas, beat up several people and blocked off the site of an opposition demonstration in Harare.

In the same demonstration, protesters threw stones at police while some set tyres ablaze and pulled down the sign for a street named after Mugabe. </s> “Today’s High court decision is a victory for Zimbabwe’s constitutional principles. It sends a clear message to the authorities that the right to protest, as enshrined in the country’s constitution, cannot just be stripped away by the state on a whim,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for Southern Africa.

“Zimbabwe’s authorities must respect and obey today’s ruling and allow people to assemble and raise their grievances, as long as they are doing it within the confines of the laws that govern public protests.”

Today’s ruling comes after President Robert Mugabe publicly threatened the country’s judges on 3 September accusing them of being reckless by allowing demonstrations in the country.

The Zimbabwe government imposed a ban on protests in the country’s capital Harare on 1 September 2016, under the Public Order and Security Act for a period of two weeks.

The ban was imposed amid an escalation in protests in the country over stalled electoral reforms and the declining economy.

The ban was announced the day before opposition parties were due to hold an anti-government demonstration on 2 September 2016. </s> Zimbabwe court says ban on protests invalid, suspends it for 7 days

HARARE, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's High Court ruled on Wednesday that a two-week ban by police on protests was illegal, saying it would suspend it for a week after a challenge by political activists who had said the move violated their rights.

Police in the southern African nation issued an official notice last Thursday prohibiting all demonstrations in the capital Harare after anti-government protests descended into some of the worst violence seen in two decades. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Writing Stella Mapenzauswa; Editing by James Macharia) </s> Riot police in Zimbabwe fired tear gas, beat up protesters and blocked off the site of an opposition rally in Harare on Friday, the latest in a string of demonstrations to hit the country.

The rally -- which was authorised by a court -- was to demand electoral reforms before 2018 when 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the southern African country for decades, will seek re-election.

An AFP correspondent saw armed police firing tear gas and water cannon at protesters gathered on the fringes of Harare's central business district while waiting for the court ruling to allow the march to go ahead.

Demonstrators fought back by throwing stones at police while some set tyres ablaze and others pulled down the sign for a street named after Mugabe.

Some people caught up in the melee, including children going to an agricultural show nearby, ran for shelter in the magistrate's court building while riot police pursued the demonstrators and threatened journalists covering the rally.

The usually bustling pavements were clear of street hawkers while some shops were shut and stones, sticks and burning tyres were strewn across the streets.

The opposition protesters also clashed with supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party who had refused to clear their street stalls.

The ZANU-PF youths hurled stones at the opposition activists but were overpowered and their market stalls were set on fire.

High court judge Hlekani Mwayera ordered the police and government "not to interfere, obstruct or stop the march" organised by 18 opposition parties including the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the Zimbabwe People First formed this year by former vice president Joice Mujuru.

"We view this as victory for democracy," opposition spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said after the court ruling.

"The demonstration is going ahead (although) we know the police have already teargassed the venue."

The move to seek court backing came a day after police violently put down another march by opposition youths, firing tear gas and water cannon and beating them as they staged a protest against police brutality.

Foreign diplomatic missions based in Harare called on the authorities to ensure that basic human rights and freedoms are respected during policing.

The Australian embassy said in a statement it "shares the concerns of many Zimbabweans at the violence which has occurred over recent weeks."

"The use of violence is not acceptable under any circumstance," it said.

The Canadian embassy also said it was "increasingly concerned with reports of violence and human rights violations in response to public protest", and called for calm.

Police tried to "discourage" Friday's march, saying the anticipated crowd of around 150,000 would disrupt business and traffic.

But the opposition was defiant and resorted to the courts for protection.

Former cabinet minister Didymus Mutasa, spokesman for the National Electoral Reform Agenda which groups political parties pushing for the reforms, said the march was to demand free and fair elections.

Zimbabwe's last elections in 2013 were won by Mugabe in a vote the opposition said was rigged.

Home Affairs Minister Ignatious Chombo warned on Thursday that the government would clamp down heavily on what it termed "Western-sponsored" protests seeking "regime change".

Zimbabwe has seen a mounting tide of violent protests over the past weeks, with demonstrators calling on Mugabe to step down.

Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has overseen an economic collapse that has caused food and cash shortages, with the country battling to pay public servants. </s> HARARE, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean police on Friday fired tear gas at opposition leaders and hundreds of demonstrators as a protest against President Robert Mugabe descended into one of the worst outbreaks of violence in two decades.

Opposition head Morgan Tsvangirai and former vice president Joice Mujuru fled the rally in their cars while protesters ran for cover as police firing tear gas and water cannons broke-up the core of the demonstration.

Clashes then spread through the streets of Harare as riot police fought running battles with protesters who hurled rocks at officers, set tyres ablaze and burned a popular market to the ground, in some of the worst unrest since food riots in 1998.

"Mugabe's rule must end now, that old man has failed us," said one protester before throwing a rock at a taxi.

Mugabe's opponents have become emboldened by rising public anger and protests over an economic meltdown, cash shortages and high unemployment. Mugabe, 92, has led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.

More than a hundred police officers in riot gear, backed up by water cannons and armoured trucks, occupied the venue that opposition parties planned to use for their demonstration.

As opposition supporters arrived for the march, they were told by the police to leave. The officers then fired teargas and a water cannon when parts of the crowd refused to comply.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said she was still to get details on Friday's protest.

"Demonstrating is the only solution left to force the dictator out of office," said Tapfuma Make, an unemployed 24-year-old from Chitungwiza town, south of the capital Harare.

Zimbabwe's High Court earlier ruled that police should allow the protest to proceed between 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. (1000-1400 GMT) in what Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called a "victory for democracy".

MDC secretary general and lawyer Douglas Mwonzora said the police had disregarded the court order and accused ZANU-PF youths of infiltrating the crowd to disrupt the protest.

Opposition parties leading the protests say the electoral commission is biased in favour of the ruling ZANU-PF and is run by security agencies loyal to Mugabe, charges the commission denies.

The protesters want the next vote in 2018 to be supervised by international observers, including the United Nations. They are also calling for Mugabe to fire corrupt ministers, scrap plans to introduce local bank notes and end cash shortages.

The latest demonstrations come nearly two months after the biggest large scale 'stay at home' strike in Zimbabwe since 2007, inspired by social media movements such as #ThisFlag led by pastor Evan Mawarire.

Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo on Thursday called opposition leaders "foreign agents" using protests to cause chaos in order to justify international intervention in Zimbabwe's affairs.

Zimbabwe's police used teargas and a water cannon on Wednesday to break-up a march by MDC youth supporters who were protesting over economic mismanagement and what they say is brutality by security agencies. (Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by James Macharia and Toby Chopra) </s> Protesters brought the centre of Zimbabwe’s capital to a standstill and fought running battles with police on Friday during one of the biggest demonstrations against Comrade Robert Mugabe for decades.

The chaotic scenes came after 18 opposition groups and parties called their supporters to march for reform of the country’s widely-discredited electoral system before national elections in 2018.

The authorities in Harare tried to block the protest, but it was given the go-ahead by the High Court. Even so, police used tear gas and water cannons against marchers in Freedom Square within 20 minutes of the court order.

Shops owned by Vice President were closed to prevent a second round of looting Violence has escalated in Harare. Shops have been looted. Protesters were setting the city on fire. Police run out of water canons, and were spraying ordinary water on protesters.

Protesters were not moved at all and kept advancing. Protesters were hunting down and beating police officers Zanu PF Youths (popularly called Youthies) joined the fight, assaulting protesters and charging with their own weapons. The Army has been deployed into the country’s capital as violence escalates soldier has reportedly stoned a protester to death along Jason Moyo, causing a new spate of violence.

Reports say the Vice President of Sierra Leone who was visiting Harare was forced to evacuate the country. Protesters refuse to back down even after military is deployed. Direct gestures at helicopters. Protesters have used spikes to deflate tires on police vans, so most police vans are stuck with flat tires.

The presidential motorcade has been spotted at high speed heading towards Harare International Airport. Whilst there is no official trip planned, at first reports indicated President Robert Mugabe had left the country. </s> Zimbabwe's opposition supporters set up a burning barricade as they clash with police during a protest for electoral reforms in Harare on August 26, 2016. By Zinyange Auntony (AFP)

Harare (AFP) - Riots erupted in Zimbabwe's capital Harare Friday after police fired tear gas and beat protesters who responded by throwing stones in the latest of a string of tense demonstrations.

The violence came a day after a High Court judge had ordered police "not to interfere (with), obstruct or stop the march".

Dozens of police blocked off the site of an opposition rally to demand electoral reforms before 2018 when 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the southern African country for decades, will seek re-election.

AFP correspondents saw armed police firing tear gas and water cannon at protesters gathered on the fringes of the central business district who were waiting for the march to start.

Demonstrators then began throwing stones at police while some set tyres ablaze and others pulled down the sign for a street named after Mugabe.

Some people caught up in the melee, including children going to a nearby agricultural show, ran for shelter in the magistrate's court while riot police pursued the demonstrators and threatened journalists covering the rally.

The usually-bustling pavements were clear of street hawkers and some shops were shut, with rocks, sticks and burning tyres strewn across the streets.

Opposition protesters also clashed with supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party who had refused to clear their street stalls.

ZANU-PF youths hurled stones at the opposition activists but were overpowered and their stalls were set on fire.

The march was organised by 18 opposition parties including the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the Zimbabwe People First formed this year by former vice president Joice Mujuru.

Opposition leaders gave a news conference where they condemned the brutal repression of the protest and vowed to increase pressure on Mugabe's regime.

"If that was meant to cow us from demonstrating, I want to say we are going to do the same next week Friday," former Mugabe ally and ex-cabinet minister Didymus Mutasa told reporters.

Protests "will continue until the day we vote," said Mutasa, a former top member of ZANU-PF who is now a senior member of Mujuru's party.

"We have had enough of ZANU-PF misrule."

Tsvangirai said the public would not be easily calmed.

"The people's anger is very deep. The people's desperation is very deep," he said.

"Today's brutal suppression of the people will not stop them from exercising their rights."

Tsvangirai said the regime was in its "sunset hour", warning that efforts to suppress the protests would backfire.

"Citizens are like a spring: the more they are suppressed, the greater the rebound," he said.

Charles Laurie, an analyst with Verisk Maplecroft in London, agreed that the government was on the verge of losing control.

"The government is nearing a tipping point in its ability to control a population long used to violence and hardship, and who now have little to lose in putting themselves at risk in forcing political concessions," he told AFP.

"If the current anti-government momentum continues, we can expect the imposition of martial law and further draconian steps to re-assert government control."

Thursday's court order was issued a day after police violently put down another march by opposition youths, firing tear gas and water cannon and beating them as they staged a protest against police brutality.

Police had tried to "discourage" Friday's march, saying the anticipated crowd of around 150,000 would disrupt business and traffic.

Foreign diplomatic missions based in Harare called on the authorities to ensure that basic human rights and freedoms are respected during policing.

The Australian embassy issued a statement expressing concern over the recent unrest, saying the use of violence was "not acceptable under any circumstance."

And the Canadian embassy also said it was "increasingly concerned with reports of violence and human rights violations in response to public protest."

Friday's march was to demand free and fair elections. The last elections in 2013 were won by Mugabe in a vote the opposition said was rigged.

Top officials have suggested the protests were "Western-sponsored" and aimed at seeking "regime change".

Zimbabwe has seen a mounting tide of violent protests in recent weeks, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980.

Under his rule, there has been an economic collapse that has caused food and cash shortages, with the country battling to pay public servants.
The High Court of Zimbabwe overturns bans on protests in Harare.