Members of the Tsvangirai MDC launched a demonstration in Bulawayo Thursday, taking the police by surprise. Felix Mafa, the party’s provincial Secretary for Information and Publicity, said this is the beginning of the democratic resistance campaign (DRC). He said 5 000 people took to the streets, breaking the ice in terms of the lack of mass action. We were not able to get independent confirmation of the figures. Mafa said: “Almost 5000 took to the streets this morning against the mismanagement of our resources, our economy. People are scavenging for food and therefore we are galvanizing the strategies to push the regime to the end.”

The activist added: “This is just a beginning or genesis of great things to come sooner rather than later.”

The opposition party said although the demonstration was relatively peaceful at least five MDC members were arrested. Mafa said: “We are still trying to seek their identities, but the aftermath of the demonstration we understand is that they are now searching for the leadership, particularly the Secretary for Bulawayo province Mr Reggie Moyo. He is now in hiding. He is being sought by the police.”

Vice President Thokozani Khupe and the party’s National Council led the protesters who were drawn from the various districts in the city.

The demonstrators held placards and banners calling for a democratic constitution and for elections in 2008. The Mugabe regime recently announced plans to move the Presidential elections from 2008 to 2010, a move seen as trying to extend Mugabe’s term in office.