Tensions rising over Zimbabwe meltdown

Tensions continue to rise in Zimbabwe, with the government seemingly at sea about how to deal with the worsening economic situation in the country which has seen the prices of basic goods shooting through the roof over the past few months, causing pain and disquiet among long suffering Zimbabweans.

The main MDC opposition party and the country's biggest trade union - the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) - shall be taking to the streets to vent out their anger over the deteriorating economic situation.

In addresses marking Workers' Day yesterday, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, along with ZCTU president Peter Mutasa gave the first clearest hint that confrontation with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's regime was unavoidable this winter.

Their warnings came as Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema cautioned would-be-demonstrators on Tuesday that anti-government protests would be crushed.

Responding to the threats, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo - in a sign of the rising political tensions in the country - slammed Chamisa yesterday for threatening to mount mass demonstrations against the government.

"The recent statements attributed to the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa at an occasion meant to celebrate Workers Day ... where he announced his party's intentions to cause mayhem and anarchy in the country through senseless demonstrations are an affront to the peace and tranquillity prevailing in the country.

"The same statements threatening violence and impunity were also made by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions leadership at the same forum.

"These statements are not taken lightly, especially coming from the pronouncement by Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema which disclosed the ulterior motives and intentions by regime change agents who are bent to make the country ungovernable," Khaya Moyo told the media in Harare.

"Having noted the historical modus operandi of the opposition and anti-establishment regime change forces, exhibited by their actions during the post elections period and the 14 January 2019 mass stay-away which ended in wanton loss of life ... the ruling party wishes to inform the nation that these actions will not be tolerated.

"Corrective action is already being taken by the appropriate security agents of the State with a view to ensure that peace and harmony is experienced internally in the country," he added ominously.