Military

DATE=10/17/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / RIOTS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268071

BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Zimbabwe, protests over rising prices of food and transport in the capital, Harare, have now spread to all the city's working class suburbs. Police have fired tear gas to break up angry crowds who were stoning buses and setting up barricades on the main roads into the capital. Martin Rushmere reports from Harare.

TEXT: So far, no deaths have been reported since rioting began Monday, when buses were burned and shops looted. It is not known how many people have been injured.

In one of the most serious incidents, police on Tuesday broke up a crowd that was trying to march on the biggest bakery in Harare.

Police commissioner Augustine Chihuri has warned that strong action will be taken against any protesters. Air force helicopters have been called in to direct police to likely sources of trouble.

Offices and factories report that many of their workers have been unable to get to work because bus services have stopped.

Many workers say they have been told to stay home or they will be punished by vigilante gangs.

Over the past year, the price of a loaf of bread has more than tripled in Zimbabwe, while petrol [gasoline] has more than doubled. Between July and August alone the price of petrol rose by two-thirds.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, president of the Movement for Democratic Change, says national mass action [demonstrations] will be held to demand the resignation of President Robert Mugabe. He said the form and timing of the action has not yet been decided.

The Movement for Democratic Change is asking parliament this week to call for President Mugabe's resignation on the grounds that he has abused his office and violated the constitution.

Analysts say the move appears to be symbolic, as the ruling party has 92 of the 150 seats in parliament and can quash any attempt to remove the president. (Signed)

NEB/MR/KL/JP