Zimbabwe protests broken up despite court permission

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe

Protesters gathering in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare for a demonstration to call for electoral reform were tear gassed and beaten by police Friday, despite a High Court ruling allowing the march.

The call for a “mega demonstration” by 18 opposition parties saw around 5,000 people head for the city center, where they were met by riot police and water cannon.

Demonstrators responded by blocking roads with debris and burning tires.

The organizers of the march -- the National Electoral Reform Agenda -- said dozens were injured.

They are calling for electoral reform ahead of the election in 2018, when President Robert Mugabe, 92, has said he will stand again.

Earlier Friday, the High Court ruled that the planned march could go ahead. On Thursday the police warned that unauthorized demonstrations would not be allowed.

Protests have proliferated in recent months as the country's economy suffers the effects of alleged corruption and economic mismanagement.

“I am shocked,” Didymus Mutasa, a former member of Mugabe’s Zanu-PF government, said. “What I witnessed today is the worst human rights abuses by the government. The skirmishes have been started by the police but they should know we will not be stopped by that… until Mugabe resigns.”

Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change, added: “What begins is fear, then panic and lastly anger. We don’t condone violence but the police should take full responsibility of what transpired today.”

Mugabe faces heavy pressure to resign after 36 years of alleged misrule.

“I hear they don’t want us in power and are forming these stupid coalitions but they will not succeed,” Mugabe said before leaving the country.

Later Friday, roads leading to Harare were jammed with traffic as police set up checkpoints to search vehicles.

Motorists faced delays of up to four hours as 15 kilometer (9 mile) queues formed. “I am not sure what the police are looking for but I can confirm the traffic jam that we are experiencing is unusual,” a bus driver heading for Epworth township who asked to remain anonymous said.

Jealousy Mawarire, spokesman for Zimbabwe People First, said: “Our supporters told us that they could hardly drive back home this evening as there were searches taking place on most major roads leading out of the city.”