OWN CORRESPONDENT and AFP, Harare | Wednesday 10.45pm.
THE violence that erupted on the streets of the Zimbabwean capital Harare on Wednesday morning had subsided by the afternoon, although buses and minibus taxis satyed off the roads for fear of coming under attack by protesters boycotting public transport after fare increases.
Wednesday’s rioting and boycott follow a 70% increase in fuel prices over the weekend, which saw bus fares double on Wednesday.
The regular bustle of Harare’s central district was replaced by quiet on Wednesday afternoon as businesses closed to allow staff to walk home.
Political commentators said the rioting and boycott did not appear to be organised, and it is unclear if the protest will continue on Thursday. The latest protest is putting the already embattled government of President Robert Mugabe under fiurther pressure.
Earlier on Wednesday, riot police dispersed a mob marching to the city centre, chanting: “We are fed up with [the ruling] ZANU (PF).” Gangs of youths stoned cars, burnt buses and blocked bus routes with logs and rocks.
The increases were the latest in a wave of price hikes on basic commodities. In the past month, the price of staple maize meal has risen by 43% and that of bread by 35%, while meat and milk prices have also increased.
Zimbabwe’s Parliament on Wednesday passed an urgent motion to send a delegation to Mugabe to discuss the fuel price hikes that triggered Wednesday’s protests in Harare. Ziana news agency reports that MP Norman Zikhali tabled a motion that the 150-member house reject the recent increases in fuel and paraffin rpices, and called on the government to consider staggering the increases over six months.