Zimbabwe’s March 31 Protests Raise Fears of Regional Trade Disruptions

Harare – Fears are mounting over potential disruptions to regional trade and transport networks in Zimbabwe as the March 31 protests, called by a left-wing faction within the ruling Zanu PF, draw near.

Truckers and logistics operators have been urged to remain on high alert as Zimbabwe braces for the planned protests. Industry experts warn that prolonged instability could choke key supply chains, affecting neighbouring countries reliant on Zimbabwean transit routes.

However, the Zimbabwean government has vowed to suppress the March 31 demonstrations, deploying police nationwide to prevent unrest.

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe issued a stern warning against organisers of the planned protests, labelling them as “subversive” and vowing to use strict legal measures to maintain order. Authorities have invoked the Criminal Law Act and Cyber Security Act to target social media activists allegedly inciting unrest.

Kazembe assured businesses and international partners that security forces would prevent disruptions, stating, “We will not allow illegal gatherings to derail our economic progress.”

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However, opposition groups accuse the government of suppressing dissent ahead of elections, raising concerns about prolonged instability.

Fesarta Warns Truckers to Exercise Caution

With Zimbabwe being a critical transit hub for Southern Africa, the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta) has advised transporters to avoid unnecessary movement on Monday.

Fesarta’s Mike Fitzmaurice told SA Trucker: “We’re in close contact with security clusters in Zimbabwe, and the situation is tense. There’s already heavy police visibility in urban areas. Our advice to truckers is to stay put in secure truck stops on March 31 until we know how things unfold.”

Fitzmaurice noted that while recent arson attacks—reportedly linked to the protests—had not yet disrupted major trucking routes, the risk remains. “If things escalate, we’ll update our members immediately.”

Zimbabwe’s highways serve as vital corridors for goods moving between South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Any prolonged unrest could delay shipments of fuel, minerals, and essential commodities, driving up costs across the region.

Industry analysts warn that if protests turn violent, border crossings like Beitbridge (South Africa-Zimbabwe) and Chirundu (Zimbabwe-Zambia) could face blockades or heightened security checks, causing costly delays.

For now, transporters are adopting a wait-and-see approach, with some trucking companies already suspending trips to and through Zimbabwe. However, if instability persists, regional trade bodies may need to reroute cargo—a costly alternative that could further strain supply chains already impacted by fuel shortages and global logistics challenges.

As Zimbabwe’s government tightens security, the world will be watching—not just for political fallout, but for the ripple effects on Southern Africa’s already fragile trade networks.