OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Thursday 9.30am.
THE Zimbabwean army has been deployed in Harare townships following violence on Wednesday that developed from protests over petrol price rises.
Zimbabwean state television news has shown heavily armed soldiers conducting foot patrols. It is believed the troops were requested by police struggling to contain the violence.
Meanwhile, protest at the price rises is coming from within President Robert Mugabe’s own party as well. A delegation of MPs is to be sent by Parliament to discuss the 67% increases, largely forced by dramatic declines in the strength of the Zimbabwean dollar.
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 stayed 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 further 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 ropes, and called on the government to consider staggering the increases over six months.