Protests due next week as Zimbabweans demand change

By Tererai Karimakwenda
08 September 2006

Several protests against the government and its policies that have destroyed the country have been organised for the coming week as the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe continues to become more and more difficult to manage. Organisations planning to demonstrate say their members have been forced to take some form of action however risky to improve their lives in the face of poverty, hunger, oppression and corruption.

Although each group is protesting a specific set of issues that are affecting its members, they all agree it is the ruling party that is responsible and have vowed to support each other’s efforts on the streets. Never before have so many groups come together in Zimbabwe to demand immediate change leading to free and fair elections for a new government. And instead of addressing the issues and creating an atmosphere of peace, Robert Mugabe and his government have responded with their usual rhetoric of threats and violence. However Zimbabweans say they will be out in full force peacefully as it is their constitutional right.
The most widely publicised has been The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) with protest marches scheduled for next Wednesday September 13th. ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo and secretary-general Wellington Chibebe are expected to lead the protests, which have been dubbed “Operation Tatambura” (we have suffered). The demonstrations are being held in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Chinhoyi, Masvingo and many other towns around the country.

The umbrella labour group has received confirmation from leaders of many other organisations that they too will be on the streets on Wednesday supporting the workers. Among those who will participate are the Zimbabwe National Students' Union (ZINASU), and the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA).
In the U.K. members of The Zimbabwe Vigil have joined forces with the MDC-UK to organise a demonstration in solidarity with the ZCTU action in Zimbabwe. The U.K. demo will take place Wednesday as well from 12.00 – 15.00 hours outside Zimbabwe House.

The ZimOnline news site reported that the government has placed top leaders in the opposition, labour and student movements under 24-hour surveillance in anticipation of the protests. The report cited several sources including members of the state’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), who said the government had panicked after top executives of the MDC held a surprise march across Harare last week. Among those alleged to be under surveillance are MDC officials including president Morgan Tsvangirai, deputy president Thokozani Khupe, organising secretary Elias Mudzuri, spokesman Nelson Chamisa and secretary-general Tendai Biti.

Also under close watch are ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo, secretary-general Wellington Chibebe, Zimbabwe National Students' Union (ZINASU) president Promise Mkwananzi and the University of Zimbabwe students' leader Washington Katema.

It is a peaceful protest march that will culminate in the leadership in Harare presenting petitions to the Ministers of Labour Nicholas Goche, Finance Herbert Murerwa and the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe,” Sibanda said.