Govt to deploy army in streets

Government will today deploy security forces to quell mass demonstrations organized by a coalition of opposition parties joining forces to push for electoral reforms and change should the protest turn violent as pressure mounts on President Mugabe to reform or quit.

Police refused to grant the parties permission to March, setting stage for violent confrontation like the situation that happened on Wednesday.

Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo said state security forces would not hesitate to descend heavily on protestors.

Military sources say the army would be on high alert and could patrol the streets to following Wednesday's clashes.