After clash, Opposition member cries foul over Harare protests

HARARE, Zimbabwe - A minister of the opposition in the Zimbabwe government has suggested that there are certain "agents provocateurs" who were responsible for the violent protests in Harare this week.

"The real danger of today's violence is that it may have been sponsored or fuelled by agent provocateurs who need to justify martial law," tweeted Senator Coltart from the Opposition.

A major clash was witnessed between the police and protestors, allegedly members of the Opposition Party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who were decrying the brutality of the police and demanding the resignation of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday.

"We have been seeing a deliberate attempt by the police to intimidate, harass and silence the people of Zimbabwe," said Lovemore Chinoputsa, the MDC Youth Assembly secretary-general condemning the attack of the police.

As the clash escalated, police vans were burnt, vehicle of the state broadcaster was damaged and many stores including an electronic shop were looted.

The police fired teargas and water cannon to contain the 200 protestors. Amateur footage shows people jumping out of a bus with tear gas billowing from its windows.

Many protesters were reportedly injured, but police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said she could not confirm the news. 

While the clashes were occurring, Zimbabwe's state radio played Tracy Chapman's song ‘Talking 'Bout a Revolution’. "Poor people gonna rise up and get their share. Finally, the tables are starting to turn,” went the song.

Over the past months, the police has been blamed for clamping down on protests against unemployment, acute cash shortages and corruption. Opposition parties like the MDC allege that the Mugabe government had incited the violence in Harare in order to justify a clampdown on citizens.

The protests in Harare were organised two days before a rally planned by national parties to ask President Mugabe to introduce electoral reform before the 2018 elections.

President Mugabe has been in power since 1980 and is known for his dictatorial ways. Recently, he ordered the arrest of the Zimbabwean Olympic delegation for coming home empty handed.

Zimbabwe is crippled with poor economic growth, as the government struggles to even pay its officials.