Zimbabwe telco Econet Wireless has confirmed that WhatsApp connectivity through its mobile network was down.

The announcement was made amid labour protest action by civil servants, backed by a social media campaign #ShutDownZim.

Government workers called for a stay away on Wednesday and Thursday this week in protest over delayed salary. Teachers, nurses and other civil servants had already reportedly downed tools on Tuesday.

Protests are reportedly being organised against government corruption, police roadblocks, cash shortages and other issues.

Social media block

Concern is spreading that authorities blocked WhatsApp access in Zimbabwe to curb the spread of the protests. There was no WhatsApp connectivity in some parts of the country starting early Wednesday.

Econet Wireless confirmed just after 10am that it's WhatsApp service is down. Econet has over 10 million registered subscribers on its network.

"Econet would like to confirm that WhatsApp is currently down. We will notify you once it is working again," the telco's customer service unit said in a Twitter message to a subscriber.

Police have vowed to deal with those behind the violence that characterised protests in Beitbridge and in Harare in the past few days, and called for citizens to ignore social media messages calling for a stay-away and to rise up against the government.

Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said those behind the WhatsApp messages would be dealt with.

Zimbabwe telecom industry sources are worried authorities may use networks to help quell the protest. "It's a difficult time because we have always been under scrutiny for the role of the industry in spreading the messages. While we have not yet been affected, the industry cannot rule out future friction with authorities," an industry source said on Tuesday night.