ZIMBABWE’S PRIME minister Morgan Tsvangirai was yesterday accused by state-run radio of trying to spark an anti-government uprising in the country similar to those seen in Tunisia and Egypt over the past month.
The accusation against Mr Tsvangirai, who is participating in a faltering transitional government with long-time rival Robert Mugabe, came shortly after violence flared between supporters of the two men’s political parties in townships outside Harare.
The state broadcaster, which is controlled by Mugabe loyalists, said during news bulletins that a recent interview by Mr Tsvangirai on US-run Fox News about the protests in north Africa was intended to incite Zimbabweans to follow suit.
It was alleged that in the interview Mr Tsvangirai defended the actions of the protesters in Egypt and Tunisia and implied he supported similar action in Zimbabwe against the president, Mr Mugabe.
Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka has denied the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader is planning anti-government demonstrations, claiming such suggestions were “hogwash”.
However, reports of civil unrest in Harare and its surrounding townships have begun to surface over the past two weeks.
At least three MDC supporters were hospitalised in recent days for serious injuries after being attacked by about 70 Zanu-PF militants at Mbare township who looted and set buildings alight, according to a local doctors group.
On Wednesday, riot police sealed off the downtown offices of the Harare City Council as it was besieged by a mob chanting pro-Mugabe slogans, witnesses said.
The MDC said in a statement on its website yesterday that Mr Mugabe’s supporters have conducted numerous attacks against its members and the perpetrators have been left to “roam scot-free” by police.