Zimbabwe solidarity rallies could disrupt border traffic

ALAN PEAT MAJOR DEMONSTRATIONS in support of Zimbabwe solidarity are to be held on December 10 (International Human Rights Day) at four border posts, according to Joseph Dube, chief campaigns co-ordinator in SA for Amnesty International. These, he told FTW, will be at the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe; Ramokjwebana with Botswana; Machipinda with Mozambique; and Chirundu with Zambia. While Dube insisted that these would be “peaceful demonstrations controlled by a large team of marshals” and there was no intention to interfere with traffic, the Zimbabwe Herald suggested there was a different scheme planned on the Zimbabwe side. “Anti-Zimbabwe civic organisations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are planning to disrupt the smooth operation of business at Beitbridge and the country’s other border posts with Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. “The organisations have vowed to close the country’s border posts and called on workers to remain at home. “They also plan to disrupt electricity supply to State House during the demonstrations, and bar the entry of buses and flights into the country,” it reported. But, said Dube, the planned SA rallies will remain within the law, and Amnesty, along with fellow organisers, Civicus: world alliance for citizen participation, are currently having discussions with the department of home affairs regional office and the police in Limpopo province to control the expected crowds of demonstrators at Beitbridge.