Military

DATE=6/3/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / POLITICS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-303957

BYLINE=TENDAI MAPHOSA

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Zimbabwe, on the second day of the opposition's planned five days of strikes and demonstrations most businesses remained closed but again the protest marches failed to materialize. From Harare, Tendai Maphosa has more.

TEXT: Opposition supporters were supposed to march in their own neighborhoods Tuesday, but it seems the heavy police and military presence succeeded in discouraging them.

There was more traffic and were more people on the streets of Harare Tuesday than there had been on Monday, and some banks and shops were open. Some shops in Harare suburbs were also open.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change is urging people to stay away from work until Friday. But the opposition Chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly, Lovemore Madhuku, admits the lack of street demonstrations is a disappointment.

///1st ACT MADHUKU///

Our hope was that notwithstanding those obstacles there would still be people because there was one time debate in the country as to whether the police will shoot or whether the army will shoot. That assumes that people would be there and would be able to resist the po lice so I think the element of the mass demonstration hasn't worked so far and we hope that something comes up before the end of Friday.

///END ACT///

The demonstrations were billed as the "final push" to end the 23-year rule of President Robert Mugabe. Mr. Madhuku says if the opposition does not manage to stage significant demonstrations by the end of the week, it will lose some credibility. But even then, he believes the damage will only be temporary.

///2nd MADHUKU ACT///

They have to re-organize and do something big to rub off that failure on their part. We all knew that was never going to be a final push and we have said it before. The struggle against Mugabe has to be a long drawn one because the regime here is still strong in terms of its security apparatus.

///END ACT///

The security forces are maintaining a very visible presence in residential areas in the cities and police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena says the police and the army will protect businesses that want to open. (Signed)

NEB/TM/AWP/RH/FC