Police have warned citizens to stay away from the demonstrations because they are "unlawful" and anyone who participates would have "committed a crime".

Amid rising commodity prices, fuel shortages and lengthy power outages, Zimbabwe's restless population appears ready to defy police orders. 

The MDC-A has insisted the anti-government demonstrations will go ahead.

By early Friday morning, there was already a heightened police presence in the capital. 

African News Agency (ANA)