The prayer meeting called by an opposition coalition on Sunday, March 11, in the Harare suburb of Highfield has sparked global concern about Zimbabwe.
The fatal shooting of activist Gift Tandare, and the arrests and alleged police beatings of opposition and civic leaders, have brought a flood of international criticism of the government of President Robert Mugabe and galvanized the opposition.
But Harare has brushed off foreign criticism, and officials including Minister of State Security Didymus Mutasa have said the government was justified in its tough response to the opposition – including police use of deadly force against protesters.
Reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe traces how events beginning Sunday in Highfield led to unprecedented pressure on Harare.