Military

DATE=10/18/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268121

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / RIOTS (L ONLY)

BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Zimbabwe, troops and police are continuing their crackdown on food rioters in the capital, Harare. Martin Rushmere reports from Harare that more than 100 people have been arrested since violence broke out on Monday.

TEXT: Although no deaths have been reported, dozens of shops have been looted and several buses burned. Air force helicopters have been patrolling overhead and bombing groups of suspected rioters with tear gas canisters. In one incident, a group of students were forced to flee when a canister landed in their classroom.

Human-rights groups say that dozens of people have been beaten. A member of parliament who belongs to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and his wife are among those who have been injured. Witnesses say police forced their way into the couple's home and beat them. The police, the witnesses say, accused the couple of being responsible for the unrest.

The Human Rights Association of Zimbabwe said in a statement that it has definite evidence that innocent people have been beaten for no reason.

The police have denied using excessive force, but a police spokesman has warned that there will be fatalities if youths continue to blockade roads.

Roadblocks in most of the affected areas have been cleared and transport services are resuming. Police and troops in armored vehicles are patrolling all working class suburbs. Many shops and factories have been closed in and around the capital because of fear of looting and because many workers are not able to get to work.

A business group, the Confederation of Industries, says the government must immediately start discussions with all sectors of society to end the economic crisis. And the National Congress of Trade Unions has called on the government to act quickly to end what it says is worsening poverty in the country. (Signed)

NEB/MR/KL/JWH