This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6373611.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Zimbabwe opposition rally stopped | Zimbabwe opposition rally stopped |
(1 day later) | |
Police in Zimbabwe have used tear-gas and water cannon to prevent an opposition rally from going ahead in the capital, Harare. | Police in Zimbabwe have used tear-gas and water cannon to prevent an opposition rally from going ahead in the capital, Harare. |
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was cancelling the event after police sealed off the venue. | The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was cancelling the event after police sealed off the venue. |
The MDC had wanted the rally to launch Mr Tsvangirai's campaign for presidential elections in 2008. | The MDC had wanted the rally to launch Mr Tsvangirai's campaign for presidential elections in 2008. |
On Saturday he had obtained a High Court order for the rally to go ahead. | On Saturday he had obtained a High Court order for the rally to go ahead. |
However, on Sunday Mr Tsvangirai was blocked by police from reaching the sports ground in the Highfields district of the capital where the rally was due to take place. | However, on Sunday Mr Tsvangirai was blocked by police from reaching the sports ground in the Highfields district of the capital where the rally was due to take place. |
Unconfirmed | Unconfirmed |
As Mr Tsvangirai's supporters gathered, police set up roadblocks and then opened fire with water cannon and tear gas. | As Mr Tsvangirai's supporters gathered, police set up roadblocks and then opened fire with water cannon and tear gas. |
The police set up road blocks around the venueThere are unconfirmed reports of a number of arrests. | |
Mr Tsvangirai eventually arrived at the venue and told the crowd that the rally was being called off. | Mr Tsvangirai eventually arrived at the venue and told the crowd that the rally was being called off. |
These events come against the backdrop of increasing civil discontent over Zimbabwe's economic crisis. | These events come against the backdrop of increasing civil discontent over Zimbabwe's economic crisis. |
Doctors, nurses and teachers have been on strike in recent weeks and civil servants are threatening strike action unless they are awarded an immediate 400% pay increase in an effort to keep pace with the country's hyper-inflation. | Doctors, nurses and teachers have been on strike in recent weeks and civil servants are threatening strike action unless they are awarded an immediate 400% pay increase in an effort to keep pace with the country's hyper-inflation. |
Previous version
1
Next version