The following report is by a correspondent in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's political situation has suddenly become pregnant with the possibility of uprisings, as ordinary people begin to defy police brutality. Unlike in the past when people were very scared of the police, now the situation seems to be different, with events bearing testimony to the mood of resistance. Just a drive around Highfield Township on February 18 was enough to see the return of the late '90s fighting spirit among the poor people.
It was supposed to be a day for a Movement for Democratic Change rally. Initially the MDC was denied clearance by the police but it filed an urgent court application that ultimately allowed it proceed with the rally. To the surprise of everyone, on the day of the rally the police had sealed off the venue, barring people from gathering and saying they would not recognise the court order and the rally was still illegal.
However, people defied the police presence and started to rally, singing songs denouncing the police and President Robert Mugabe. When the police tried to disperse the crowd, running battles erupted. Police started using teargas and people retaliated by throwing stones. Several vehicles near the venue, including a police truck, were burned.
People proceeded to the nearby shopping mall throwing stones, burning property and singing, resulting in the closure of the shopping centre and the police station, with police running for their life. All roads leading into the township were closed to prevent more police from coming in.
Since then the regime has been alert and there is a heavy police presence in town. They are randomly rounding up people and detaining them. They have become so suspicious of every gathering of more than five people that they have even started dispersing people in pubs.
A member of the International Socialist Organisation was arrested as he was going into the ISO's office for a study circle and was only released the next day after paying an unjustified fine.
The ISO is afraid that any day its offices may be raided — several police officers have been seen roaming around.
Teachers across the country have gone on strike, and police and soldiers have been in schools harassing teachers, forcing them to resume lessons.