Zimbabwe Orders Second Internet Shutdown in A Week of Deadly Protests

Zimbabwe has constricted Internet access amid a week of deadly protests following an increase in gasoline prices.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country's largest mobile phone operator, said early Friday that it had been directed by the government to shut down all Internet access for the second time in a week.



"We were served with another directive for total shutdown of the internet until further notice," Econet said in a statement, Reuters reports. The carrier noted that all networks and providers in Zimbabwe had suspended services.

Later Friday, Econet said it had received orders to restore access except for some social media applications, Reuters reports.

Critics say the government wants to limit Internet access to halt the circulation of images showing security forces responding violently to protests. Photographs show a protester with a broken leg, another with a split lip, and others of protesters being arrested. Activists were challenging the restrictions in court.