Zimbabwe protests 'will go ahead'

Zimbabweans fear they will not be able to leave their houses next week

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says it will defy a court ban and go ahead with mass protests aimed at driving President Robert Mugabe from power.

The High Court in Zimbabwe issued the ban after police filed an application, in which they said the protests would undermine law and order and challenge the country's constitutional democracy.

"The provisional order given to me is not binding on me or the MDC... the mass action will proceed as planned," said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

People have been panic-buying in preparation for next week's demonstrations while soldiers are patrolling populous areas of the capital Harare, reportedly to discourage people from taking part.

Zimbabwe's Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, has accused Mr Tsvangirai of high treason for calling for mass action, and the Zimbabwean army has warned it will forcefully intervene against the protests if they turn violent.

Mugabe blamed

Mr Tsvangirai has urged Zimbabweans to "rise up in your millions".

The MDC accuses Mr Mugabe of causing the country's economic crisis - a charge he denies.

The army is trying to intimidate people by going into high-density suburbs in their trucks, with guns

Unnamed official

In the capital Harare, shoppers stocked up on essentials while thousands queued up at banks to withdraw cash.

Police have set up roadblocks on major routes leading into the city centre.

One resident of the low-income suburb of Mabvuku, in eastern Harare, told the AFP news agency that police were moving around beer halls telling people to go home.

An unnamed MDC official said the army "is trying to intimidate people by going into high-density suburbs in their trucks, with guns".

"It's to scare people so people won't come out of their homes."

'People scared'

The ruling Zanu-PF's chief spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira has said the time has come for a showdown with the MDC and that they must be "confronted and taught a lesson".

Tsvangirai says protests will go ahead

The MDC organised one of the biggest demonstrations against President Mugabe two months ago.

However, it is not clear if ordinary Zimbabweans will want to be involved, given the harsh treatment meted out to protesters last time.

Zimbabwe is in a severe economic crisis, with record inflation and unemployment, and shortages of food, fuel and foreign currency.

President Mugabe, in power since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980, blames the crisis on opponents of his seizures of land from the tiny white minority for redistribution among landless blacks.

Zimbabwe is under sanctions from the Commonwealth over the land seizures and alleged vote-rigging by the ruling party.