TENSION has gripped Zimbabwe after President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew amid fears the Zanu PF leader, who is failing to proffer solutions to deepening socio-economic problems, is using COVID-19 to contain a possible uprising. BY MOSES MATENGA/HARRIET CHIKANDIWA Mnangagwa on Tuesday announced new lockdown measures he said were meant to contain the spread of COVID-19 after positive cases soared to more than 1 800 this winter, with at least 26 deaths. The opposition MDC Alliance said Mnangagwa was desperate to deal with his “political problems” and using COVID-19 as “his shield” by justifying unleashing the security forces on civilians ahead of the planned July 31 protests. “Why impose a curfew? Is he saying that COVID-19 is spreading between 6pm and 6am?” MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo asked rhetorically in an interview with NewsDay yesterday. “The measures announced by Mnangagwa are political, especially the curfew part. We don’t support political leaders who abuse the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue their political agenda.” Government has intensified its crackdown on critics and on Tuesday arrested journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and July 31 protests organiser Jacob Ngarivhume, who are being charged with promoting violence. There are reports that activist #Tajamuka/Sesijikile leader Promise Mkwananzi, who has been actively mobilising for the protests, and MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala were on the police wanted list for the same. “You must not abuse the poor to gain what you want politically and wanting to politicise COVID-19. Why is he quiet on COVID-19 funds and equipment looting if he is sincere? This is a strategy used by political cowards to survive, but the people know all that now,” Hlatywayo said. However, the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe said though Mnangagwa had shown leadership in addressing the COVID-19 crisis, it would be sad if it turns out he has “other motives”. “The whole point, we are told, is to address the COVID-19 threat so whatever it takes, as long as it will help to address that, then it is fine, but it will be sad if it turns out to be what it is not,” party deputy spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said. Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said the action by Mnangagwa was an unnecessary impediment on people’s freedoms and avoided areas that needed immediate attention. “The government should avoid taking actions that unnecessarily impede freedoms and socio-economic activities. The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions should be informed by the reality on the ground and evidence from the public health experts,” he said. “The general public should be fully engaged and informed on COVID-19 health literacy response so that they know which activities or contacts are most likely to spread the virus in order to identify what will have most impact on stopping it.” Rusike said government was supposed to effect lockdown in hotspots, arguing the move would also affect the informal traders who constitute more than 95% of the working po