26 de agosto de 2016, 15:13Harare, Aug 26 (Prensa Latina) The situation still remains tense in the capital, which was the scene today of anti-government protests organized by at least 18 political parties and social groups in Zimbabwe.
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The protest will mark the first time that Zimbabwe’s fractured opposition has joined in a single action to confront President Robert Mugabe’s government since 2007.
Didymus Mutasa, a senior official from Mujuru’s party and convener of Friday’s protest, vowed to repeat the demonstration a week from now and blamed police for the violence and disobeying a court order allowing the march to proceed.
Police used tear gas, water cannons and batons on August 24 to disperse a youth-led protest in Harare against police brutality.
The churches said they would also protest against the abuse of State security apparatus, abductions, vote rigging and illegal arrest of citizens, ANA-CAJ reported.
“Today’s brutal suppression of the people will not stop them from exercising their rights as given by the constitution”, MDC-T spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka said in a statement to reporters.
MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, who is also the Nera legal officer, said while police had been notified of the intention to march as far back as two weeks ago, the authorities had not bothered to respond until yesterday.
Zimbabwean riot police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters in the capital after the High Court ruled that a demonstration by opposition parties to demand changes in the electoral system could go ahead.
“Zimbabweans are beginning to say enough is enough”, said another opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai at a press conference after the demonstration was dispersed. The embassy urged government to “make every effort to ensure that public policing and justice are consistent with the Government’s constitutional obligation to respect basic human rights and freedoms”, The Australian embassy urged the respect of citizens’ rights. About 60 protesters were arrested, according to local reports. He denies opposition and Western charges of rigging previous elections.
The country is experiencing an economic crisis and the government is considering the introduction of bond notes-a cash substitute-as reserves of US dollars dwindle, raising fears of another round of hyperinflation.
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But the 92-year-old president warned them that there would be no “Arab Spring”, in reference to the wave of protests, riots and civil wars that toppled leaders in parts of the Arab world.
