Zimbabwe tightens security for eclipse

Police firing tear gas dispersed protests on Monday

Police are manning road blocks in Zimbabwean cities in a security clampdown which the government says is to ensure the safety of tourists viewing the solar eclipse.

Reinforcements are also being deployed in rural districts, where the solar eclipse will sweep across on Thursday.

They [opposition] do not want the tourists to experience the peace and tranquility Zimbabwe is associated with

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo

But tourist bookings for the eclipse have been disappointing in Zimbabwe, and this is being blamed on fears of political violence.

The eclipse takes place just days before trade unions are expected to stage a strike protesting at last week's 70% increase in fuel prices.

And in the latest disturbances on Monday, police fired tear gas in western Harare to disperse protesters.

Blame

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo blamed the opposition Movement for Democratic Change for the protest saying they were trying to scare away visitors and tarnish the government's image.

The eclipse is a business opportunity for the enterprising

"It is just a group of MDC criminal elements being led by their party to scare away visitors coming for the solar eclipse," said Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.

"They do not want the tourists to experience the peace and tranquility Zimbabwe is associated with and tourists have always enjoyed," he said.

But MDC spokesman Learnmore Jongwe rejected the accusation saying the protests and demonstrations were "an indication of legitimate frustrations among citizens that government must address".

The government is accused by some of using the security clampdown surrounding the eclipse as a pretext to target the trade unions and the opposition.

Since an upsurge in political violence began last year, more than 30 people have died and revenues from tourism, which is the third largest hard currency earner, are reported to have declined by about 80%.