Africa

Zimbabwe police arrest 67 over anti-government protest

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A man wearing a Zimbabwean flag salutes riot police during a protest in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The demonstration organized by opposition political parties calling for reforms, is the first time that the fractured opposition has joined forces in a single unified action to confront President Robert Mugabe's government. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

A woman and child pass a fire set alight during a protest in Harare, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The demonstration organised by opposition political parties calling for reforms, is the first time that the fractured opposition has joined forces in a single unified action to confront President Robert Mugabe's government. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

A fire burns in the street, set by protestors during a demonstration in Harare, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The demonstration organised by a coalition of opposition political parties calling for political and social reforms was the first time that the fractured opposition has joined forces in a single unified action to confront President Robert Mugabes government. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) (The Associated Press)

Zimbabwe police say they arrested 67 people following a violent protest that rocked the capital, Harare, as the president warned against an Arab Spring type of revolution.

Police spokesman Paul Nyathi on Saturday said they had recovered some property looted during the protests. Police used batons, tear gas and water cannons in running battles with anti-government demonstrators on Friday, despite a court order that the protest could take place.

President Robert Mugabe warned opposition leaders against attempting an Arab Spring type of revolution, according to the state-run Herald newspaper.

Frustrations over Zimbabwe's rapidly deteriorating economy are boiling over in this once prosperous but now economically struggling southern African country.

Police have often used tear gas, water cannons and open violence to crush anti-government protests, which have become a near-daily occurrence.