#ShutdownZimbabwe: internet access disrupted amid protests

According to multiple reports, internet access across Zimbabwe has been disrupted amid ongoing protests that erupted after Saturday’s record fuel price hike.

Last weekend, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa more than doubled the price of petroleum and diesel, making it the most expensive place in the world to purchase fuel.

This was in a bid to address fuel shortages and illegal trading, reported the BBC. However, the move has since fueled heated protests within the country’s largest cities.

On Tuesday, a swathe of Zimbabweans reported disruptions to their internet access, with Facebook and WhatsApp inaccessible. Twitter was also affected.

#Whatsapp & #Facebook reported to have been inaccessible between around 3am until 4am (local 🇿🇼 time) this morning.

Did anyone else experience this? #shutdownZimbabwe #ZimbabweShutDown cc @OpenObservatory @netblocks @accessnow @btayeg @koliwemajama @ZimMediaReview @kubatana

— MISAZimbabwe (@misazimbabwe) January 15, 2019

Update: Using the @OpenObservatory app at 1038hrs we can still note that #facebook, #Twitter & #WhatsApp seems to have been blocked by @ZOLconnect and @NetOneCellular#shutdownZimbabwe #Zimbabwe #KeepItOnZW pic.twitter.com/V6Rg7VWbXR

— Tawanda Mugari (@tawmug) January 15, 2019

Zol is blocking Twitter, Whatsapp, Facebook. I am using a Vpn

— BlackZw, Night King (@theBlackZw) January 15, 2019

According to a report by tech publication TechZim, service providers Econet and TelOne have blocked access to the internet entirely.

Users who still have internet access are reportedly using virtual private network (VPN) services to circumvent the connectivity issues.

It’s not the first time Zimbabwe has faced widespread internet disruptions. In 2016, access to social media was severed amid similar protests in the country.

Feature image: Memeburn