MDC-T behind 'flopped demos' - police

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has said a demonstration by rural teachers in Harare on Monday was organised by opposition MDC-T.

She said three people,  Rural Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) president, Obert Masaraure, secretary-general Robson Chere and programmes officer, Pride Mkono were nabbed.

"I confirm that MDC-T youths, touts, vendors and members of zinasu carried out an unsanctioned demonstration along Nelson Mandela today (yesterday) but were quickly dispersed by the police," she is quoted by the state run Herald.

"As the police, we will not sit and watch these unsanctioned demonstrations happening because they are unacceptable and we are going to arrest those involved in such activities."

 According to the Herald, less than 20 people turning out for the march while three were arrested for taking part in the illegal protests.

It said MDC-T activists masquerading as teachers' representatives were behind it.

The paper said ‘Bona fide civil servants representatives disowned the union saying it was clear they were political activists who wanted to capitalise on the situation to gain cheap mileage".

 However, according to News Day , several people were injured as police disrupted the protests.

Demonstrators held placards denouncing the Zanu PF government for misgovernance, said they wanted to petition Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa to speed up the payment of civil servants' salaries and bonuses for 2015.

Passersby were also not spared the police wrath, as they were beaten up while shops close by were temporarily closed, as the police got busy, beating up almost everyone on sight.

Shortly before the march, Masaraure had addressed the group, calling on President Robert Mugabe to cut short his annual holiday in the Far East to return home and address pressing domestic issues.

"President Mugabe is flying in and out of the country while civil servants are suffering. (Vice-President Phelekezela) Mphoko is staying in a hotel at the civil servants' expense. We are here in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the army, police and civil servants who cannot stand for themselves," he said.

After his address, the protesters started marching and sang songs demanding Chinamasa, Mphoko and Mugabe immediately provide funds for civil servants' salaries.