Accusing the opposition and civil society organisations of being behind the protests, Owen Ncube said in a statement that “regrettably, this has resulted in the loss of life and property including injury to police officers and members of the public.

“We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” he said in a statement cited by the state media.

He said more than 200 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights earlier reported that at least 13 people had suffered gunshot wounds during the protests. DM