Police mount security clampdown

Police in Zimbabwe manned checkpoints around cities and deployed reinforcements in northern rural districts on Tuesday in a security clampdown the government said was to ensure the safety of tourists viewing this week’s solar eclipse, AP reported. Tourist bookings for the total solar eclipse, which sweeps across northeastern Zimbabwe on Thursday, have been affected by political violence that has wracked the country for more than a year. In the latest disturbances, police fired tear gas in western Harare on Monday to disperse protesters angered by a 70 percent increase in petrol prices. Information Minister Jonathan Moyo blamed the violence on what he called “criminal elements “ in labor unions and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) bent on scaring away visitors and tarnishing the government’s image. “They do not want the tourists to experience the peace and tranquility Zimbabwe is associated with and tourists have always enjoyed,” Moyo said. The Zimbabwe Confederation of Trade Unions (ZCTU), representing 90 percent of organised labour, has called a national strike 2-3 July to protest against the fuel hikes and the ripple effects expected on prices of basic foods and commodities. Labour and opposition officials accused the government of using the security clampdown as a pretext to thwart their activities and canvassing ahead of the strike. There was no clear indication of the numbers of tourists and astronomy enthusiasts expected, although most key hotels reported a surge in business this week to over 60 percent occupancy three times higher than normal over recent months. Tourism receipts, the third largest hard currency earner, have declined by 80 percent in the past year. Resorts and nature reserves have been hit by acute shortages of fuel.