Tensions high as riot police camp at Harvest House

By Brown Moyo

HARARE – The ruling Zanu PF party and its government has resorted to its old systems of intimidating civilians and opposition political parties by maintaining a heavy police presence at the opposition headquarters and other public spaces.

Prior to the 2009 power sharing deal Zanu PF was known for its repressive laws and harassment of civilians by the police.

Since MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Zimbabweans should prepare for massive demonstrations to force President Robert Mugabe’s government to act on the plight of millions of desperate Zimbabweans who are plagued by rising poverty, hunger and disease, the police presence has also been increased in the streets of Harare.

Last night about 50 heavily armed police officers invaded Harvest House, the MDC-T headquarters and forced themselves in searching for unknown things.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Tsvangirai said the planned demonstrations would be a public display by long-suffering Zimbabweans of their pain and anger regarding the “dead economy” that Zanu PF had created — which has turned the country from being a breadbasket of the region to a nation of beggars.

“We have the capacity to mobilise and there is no doubt that we have the capacity to exploit the current state of affairs.

“But we want an orderly Zimbabwe with stability. It’s not just action for the sake of action, and it’s not even action against Mugabe, but action to resolve the national crisis,” Tsvangirai said.

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu today posted on his Facebook wall pictures of heavily armed police details surrounding the MDC-T offices and commented:

“The Zanu PF regime has gone totally bonkers!! We are under siege from the dictatorship!! This is the set – up outside Harvest House, the MDC headquarters in downtown Harare, on Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2015.”

In an interview with Nehanda Radio, Gutu said: ‘”Harvest House has been besieged by more than 60 riot police officers who have parked their armour -plated lorry right in front of the main entrance.”

“All our party workers have been prevented from getting inside. The Police are demanding the return of a police helmet and a baton stick that they allege was stolen by MDC youths who, yesterday, staged a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of Itai Dzamara.”

“The MDC deputy national chairman, Morgen Komichi, has just returned from Harare Central Police station where he held a meeting with the Police authorities who stated that the Police will remain holed up outside Harvest House until they recover the helmet and the baton stick,” Gutu added.