The Zimbabwean Government Has Reportedly Shutdown the Internet

Today marks the second day of the nationwide shutdown in Zimbabwe. The protests, which have largely been centered in Bulawayo and the capital city Harare, are a response by frustrated Zimbabweans who now have to fork out money they don't have in the wake of crippling fuel hikes.

It is reported that the government has cut off access to social media and the Internet in general amid the protests by Zimbabwean citizens which began yesterday.

Major mobile network providers, Econet and TelOne, apparently shutdown Internet services following a directive from the government, Pindula News reports.

However, Zimbabweans anticipated the move by government and are thus one step ahead of the Internet shutdown. Many have taken to downloading verified virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the issue and have begun to circulate how-to guides on social media with fellow Zimbabweans.

According to News24, at least 13 people have been injured in the protests which have quickly turned deadly, in contrast to their peaceful start. Those injured, all suffered gunshot wounds, according to reports by numerous medical professionals. The riot police have since been deployed, and have been using teargas and more recently, bullets, in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

Read more on the protests here.