Army ready to pull trigger on protests–Mugabe
Zimbabwe's embattled President Robert Mugabe threatened opposition party members considering joining mass action to oust his regime, hinting they could be shot by security forces.
As the prevailing political and economic crisis worsens, Mugabe issued his latest threat on Aug. 15, saying he would order the military to shoot down opposition supporters, including members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), if they tried to oust his regime through mass action.
Publicly displaying growing fear of a possible uprising, Mugabe said his army was ready to "pull the trigger" against opposition groups planning to topple his regime through streets protests.
Mugabe's threats come amid worsening social and economic conditions. Corn meal, the staple food for the majority of Zimbabweans, has run out and fuel shortages have resurfaced. Shortage of foreign currency, electricity, drugs and basic commodities have steadily worsened in recent weeks.
Mugabe's government has in the past acted on similar warnings. In 1998, the army shot dead at least 10 people during food riots.
"We want to remind those who might harbor any plots to revolt against the government: be warned, we have armed men and women who can pull the trigger," Mugabe told thousands gathered to commemorate the Zimbabwe Defense Forces Day at Rufaro Stadium in Harare to honor former soldiers.
Mugabe's threats follow menacing remarks the day before during the Heroes' Day celebrations in Harare that opposition parties planning to stage antigovernment marches would be "crushed."
The Zimbabwean ruler has been intensifying his tactics since the MDC leadership warned in February they were planning to tackle Mugabe's regime in the streets.
As if to buttress the threats, Mugabe, who is the commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe army, said he would boost its capability.
Mugabe has over the past six years increased the police and military's power, and parastatals are headed by top military men. Mugabe has also set about reserving top jobs for his Zezuru ethic group.