Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Riot police break up Zimbabwe protests as cholera deaths mount

Baton-wielding riot police broke up protests in Harare and detained dozens Wednesday, as the death toll of a cholera epidemic neared 600 in Zimbabwe's worsening health and economic crises.
Trade unionists protesting against limits on cash withdrawals were beaten by security forces in Harare, while police also dispersed doctors and nurses who tried to hand in a petition against the collapse of the health system.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said more than 70 protesters and unionists were arrested across the country including its secretary general Wellington Chibebe who was detained while addressing workers.
The arrests were not immediately confirmed by the police.

Earlier this week in Harare, clashes erupted between soldiers and currency traders.

The unrest comes as the death toll of Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic rose to 565, a jump of 81 since Tuesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. The number of reported cases has risen to 12,546.

In their petition, the doctors and nurses said they were struggling to feed their families amid an inflation rate officially estimated at 231 million percent in July.

"We are forced to work without basic health institutional needs like drugs, adequate water and sanitation, safe clothing gear, medical equipment and basic support services," they said in a protest letter, signed by Amon Siveregi, chairman of Zimbabwe Doctors' Association.

Water was mostly restored in Harare on Wednesday after a crippling 48 hour water cut, water resources deputy minister Walter Mzembi told AFP.

Taps in Harare ran dry on Saturday after the state-run water company ran short of aluminium sulphate, a chemical used to purify water, forcing people to dig shallow wells and sparking trade in water selling.

An AFP correspondent reported that although water had been restored in Harare's central business district and other residential areas, some areas only receive water in the evenings.

Charities have warned that the cholera outbreak had already spread to neighbouring South Africa.

Health authorities in northern South Africa said the Limpopo River, a major waterway and border with Zimbabwe, had tested positive for cholera this week.

The country's department of water affairs on Wednesday could not confirm the result, saying samples were still being analysed.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi acknowledged looting and attacks on foreign exchange traders on Monday had not been isolated incidents.

"During the last five days, Harare experienced disturbances by a few unruly elements from the defence forces," Sekeramayi said late Tuesday, adding those responsible would be brought to book.

The rampant inflation rate has led to widespread cash shortages and many transactions can now only be conducted in US dollars. snip

No comments: