Roadblocks go up as govt warns against protests

Amid government warnings that illegal demonstrations will be crushed, a section of Zimbabwe's opposition appears committed to a civil disobedience campaign to protest the "tyranny" of the ruling party. At a convention of a faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) last month, its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, declared, "The options open to us are very clear: we need a short, sharp programme of action to free ourselves. In the final phase, the call is made to you, once again, to intensify the peaceful democratic resistance to the current tyranny." Tsvangirai, a former trade union leader who led the MDC until its split last year over participation in senate elections, has embarked on a tour of the country, addressing well-attended rallies, urging a more robust challenge to the government's grip on power. The ruling ZANU-PF party has hit back, accusing Tsvangirai of planning an insurrection, and security has been beefed up with police and army roadblocks in cities and along major highways. President Robert Mugabe issued a chilling warning last week in response to Tsvangirai's calls for Zimbabweans to prepare for civil disobedience: "If you want an excuse for being killed, be my guest and go into the streets and demonstrate. You should not threaten us; who are you to threaten us?" Previous attempts by the MDC and civil society groups to protest elections allegedly stolen by ZANU-PF - and the impact of a shrinking economy on standards of living - have flopped. However, the Tsvangirai wing of the MDC, which rejected participation in last year's senate elections, appears to believe popular sentiment backs more militant opposition. Nelson Chamisa, the faction's spokesperson, told IRIN: "ZANU-PF is panicking because they are aware of the levels of disgruntlement in both the civilian and military ranks. Tsvangirai is going around the country to explain the resolutions of the congress and to consult the party membership on the way forward." Tsvangirai's wing of the party has also upped the tension by releasing an album of songs commemorating Operation Murambatsvina, the government's urban cleanup programme, which robbed more than 700,000 people of their homes and livelihoods in the informal sector last year. The songs, condemning what is commonly referred to as the "tsunami", are widely played on public transport. They also detail the difficulties Zimbabweans face daily, with inflation at around 800 percent and shortages of fuel and electricity. A family needs US $353 a month to meet its basic needs, according to the country's consumer council, but an average salary is around $100. The armed forces, whose top leaders were with Mugabe in the struggle against colonial rule, do not appear immune to the hardships. Although senior officers have taken strategic positions within Mugabe's administration, there are reports of ordinary soldiers deserting in increasing numbers, citing low salaries and food shortages. Three weeks ago, soldiers at 2 Brigade in the capital, Harare, sabotaged the unit's entire fleet of vehicles by spiriting away their batteries, reportedly in protest over poor pay and working conditions. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one soldier told IRIN: "Only senior army officers are living decent lives. Salaries of junior soldiers are so low that we are not able to make ends meet, and that is why most of us are trying to secure jobs as security guards in neighbouring countries."