EU, UK speak on #ShutdownZimbabwe protests

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Zimbabwe  Timo Olkkonen and the United Kingdom Ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson have urged Zimbabwe to observe peace when exercising their right to protest.

"Following with growing concern events unfold in Harare and elsewhere in Zimbabwe.People have a constitutional right to demonstrate, but this should be exercised peacefully." Olkkonen said.

He also urged security forces to respond proportionally when dealing with protestors.

"Security forces should respond to rioting proportionally, professionally and respect human rights."

UK Ambassador Melanie Robinson also called for calm and peaceful demonstrations.

"Troubling scenes on the streets of Harare and Bulawayo today." She said. "Zimbabweans should be able to protest, but this should be peaceful. And security forces need to act proportionately and with restraint."

Responding to the call for peace activist Ishmael Mazorodze said, "Zimbabweans have bottled anger Melanie. Sadly ZANU PF managed to trick the world (except wise Americans and the Zimbabwean  people) that the coup brought real change and reformists. That is a red lie. Mugabe system and key enforcers are still with us albeit with less brain."

"It's time for the UK to do something meaningful. You can't negotiate with criminals. How many more times do we need to give them the benefit of the doubt? The people are helpless without assistance from outside." Content creator Ralph Du Plesis said.

After the violent Monday protest that saw police stations burning and shops looted, government on Tuesday deployed members of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces to monitor the streets.