Three people have been shot dead and many injured, Zimbabwe's main opposition party said Tuesday, as security forces crack down on protests triggered by a sharp, sudden rise in fuel prices.
The streets of the capital Harare were deserted a day after widespread demonstrations when public anger erupted over the country's worsening economic crisis.
Zimbabwe's mobile phone networks and internet were partially shut down, with one industry source saying the systems had been jammed and many users were complaining of severely limited access.
The government more than doubled petrol prices at the weekend after months of shortages that saw drivers queueing for hours to fill up. Essentials such as bread and medicine have also been scarce.
"The information we have received is that two people were shot dead in Chitungwiza (on the outskirts of Harare) and one person in Kadoma (town)," MDC opposition party spokesman Jacob Mafume told AFP.
"This is needless loss of lives. Many have been injured, some of them seriously." He gave no further details.
Amnesty reported that eight people had died, without giving a source, and criticised "repressive measures" taken by the government to quash the protests.
On Tuesday morning, police fired tear gas in Zimbabwe's second city Bulawayo after protesters chanted for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was on an official visit to Moscow.
An AFP reporter witnessed looting in the city, a stronghold of opposition to the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Most shops remained closed in Harare, and minibus taxis that usually transport workers from the suburbs to the city centre were not running.
In the suburb of Kuwadzana, police were on patrol and forcing people off the streets.
One resident, Tawanda Mataya, said police had beaten him and slapped his 17-year-old son.
"It's so painful," Mataya told AFP showing swellings on his back.
"I was standing at my gate to assess whether I could go to work then this group of police who were passing by started beating me.
"My son who heard me screaming and opened the window to see what was happening was slapped several times."
Mnangagwa announced the fuel price hike in a televised address late Saturday, saying it was needed to tackle severe shortages and illegal trading.
He replaced longtime ruler and autocrat Robert Mugabe following a military takeover in 2017, before winning a disputed election in July.
Speaking during his visit to Russia, Mnangagwa said the fuel price increase "was necessary and still is".
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