Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa is using the cover of the Covid-19 restrictions to entrench his rule, analysts have warned amid a fresh crackdown against government critics.

Tempers flared this week following the arrest of MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer on fraud charges.

The MDC Alliance and groups representing lawyers in Zimbabwe described Mr Mpofu’s arrest as persecution and urged the international community to monitor developments in the country.

Alex Magaisa, a Zimbabwean law academic based in the UK, said the clampdown against government critics showed that President Mnangagwa wanted to use the lockdown restrictions to push for a one party state.

Zimbabwe’s courts have in recent months issued controversial judgements that effectively handed control of the MDC-Alliance’s legislators to an opposition politician who has embraced the president’s rule while Mr Chamisa still refuses to recognise the ruling party leader’s election victory.