Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Army prepares for opposition riots

misanet.com / The Standard, 11 November - The beleaguered Zimbabwean government has intensified moves to turn the country into a military state as pressure mounts from civic society for the government to quit. With a popular revolt looming, President Mugabe is now turning to his loyalists in the army to crush the impending revolt.

And as the opposition Movement for Democratic Change puts finishing touches to its plan for a mass action to oust Mugabe next month, the president seems intent on flexing his military might to plant fear in people's minds ahead of the revolt. Recent public demonstrations have unveiled government's intentions. Army units were last week unleashed on to demonstrating University of Zimbabwe lecturers and students.

Police and army leaves cancelled
The Government, in preparation for the ultimate clampdown on the country's discontented masses, has barred police officers and soldiers from going on leave. Sources within the two government arms said they had been denied leave indefinitely as government readies itself for the ultimate showdown with the people. Soldiers were told to be ready any time to quell "disturbances". Some police officers had their two months' leave for November and December cancelled.

Although the army on Friday denied that it had banned soldiers from taking leave, military sources confirmed to The Standard that because of the tense situation in the country, they had been told to be at the ready. "It is as if we are on a standby or something like that. Those who wanted to take leave had to cancel. At the moment, we are not being allowed to go
on leave and it is not clear when we will be allowed to take our leave," said the sources.

Police spokesman, Superintendent Wayne Bvudzijena, said it was routine for police members to be denied permission to go on leave towards the festive season and that there was no link to the tense situation in the country.

- We are going into the festive season and we need manpower for traffic controls. Any person would like to go on leave during this time and it is our duty to control these people, said Bvudzijena.

The police also cut down the number of officers selected for international peace keeping duties despite a UN request for the number to be increased. The UN said it was pleased by the conduct of the Zimbabwean police officers. A senior police officer told the police that they had cut the number because the force needed manpower at home to deal with any disturbances.

The MDC has promised to embark on unspecified mass action to force President Mugabe out of office. "We understand the emotions and restlessness of the Zimbabwean masses. I think what is needed is the leadership and we are providing that. We will be peacefully expressing Zimbabwe's discontent about the continued presence of Mugabe as president," said party president Morgan Tsvangirai at a press conference on Thursday. He said Mugabe should not be in office by Christmas.

Recent mass actions organised by the MDC have proved popular among the people who, according to the latest surveys, are increasingly sympathising with the opposition.

Although the MDC has not yet specified the form the mass action will take, the government has reacted angrily to the proposal and has promised to thwart the move. Government, facing popular dissent, has, of late, taken to using the military to attack ruthlessly anyone who tries to express their discontent.

Except for Zanu PF supporters, it has become unsafe for anyone to demonstrate because government is quick to bring out the army and the police.

Last week, the army and police attacked University of Zimbabwe students who had embarked on a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with their striking lecturers. Some students were severely injured in the process.

Government is also preparing to repress the expected popular uprising against its policies which have impacted negatively on the economy and have resulted in the impoverishment of many Zimbabweans. The situation in the army camps has also reportedly become tense and the camps themselves more politicised.

Said the sources: "The situation is so tense and it has even become dangerous to be labelled an MDC supporter. You wear or carry anything with red at your own risk. The camps used to be so relaxed but now you see guns everywhere. Government is jittery about the mass action."

MDC supporters have been using the red card as their symbol of dissent. They also carry around red whistles. The army denied that it had barred members from taking leave. "We are not aware that any soldiers have been banned from taking leave. As you well know, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are currently on active service in the DRC and as such all the administrative procedures derive from the Defence Act and its attendant regulations. 

Therefore, it is absolutely incorrect that members' leave has been cancelled because of the so-called tense situation in the country," said Defence spokesman, Colonel Chancellor Diye in a statement.

 

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