March 27, 2006, 08:15
Zimbabwean police intervened at the weekend to avert violent clashes between factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Harare's Herald newspaper reported today.
Its website said this happened at a rally in Chitungwiza yesterday. The rally, meant to introduce Arthur Mutambara, the MDC faction leader in St Mary's Chitungwiza, was attended by an estimated 800 people. Scores of supporters for Morgan Tsvangirai, the party leader, gathered about 70m away, singing loudly and dancing provocatively.
A group of nyau dancers who were also performing adjacent to the jeering supporters worsened the situation. This irked some Mutambara supporters who charged towards the nyau dancers and Tsvangirai followers. Only the quick reaction by the police averted a violent clash, said the Herald.
Riot police dispersed both the nyau dancers and Tsvangirai supporters, making it possible for Mutambara's rally to proceed unhindered. Mutambara told supporters if the opposition party failed to remove Zanu (PF) from power through democratic means, it would resort to demonstrations and mass stay-aways.
"We are not afraid to use demonstrations and mass stay-aways to remove the Government. We will not rule out using violence because this is still our option," he said.
Mutambara referred to Tsvangirai as "my brother" saying efforts should be made for him and his followers to join his faction. Mutambara's calls for violence, follow similar threats by Tsvangirai who pledged to incite civil disobedience in his quest to unseat the government. Joseph Msika, the vice-president, had dismissed Tsvangirai's calls as empty talk meant to cause mayhem in Zimbabwe.
Nathan Shamuyarira and Elliot Manyika, the ruling Zanu (PF) party's secretaries for information and publicity, said the MDC's calls for violence undermine democracy and could lead to bloodshed. - Sapa
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