Opposition seeks Mugabe impeachment

Fuel price rises have driven Zimbabweans to despair

By Grant Ferrett in Harare

The opposition in Zimbabwe says it will launch impeachment proceedings against President Mugabe when parliament reconvenes on Tuesday.

The leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, told a news conference in the capital Harare that his party would seek the removal of Mr Mugabe for "gross violations of the constitution".

The announcement followed a day of violent protests in suburbs of the capital over price rises.

Rising crisis

Zimbabwe's politicians, from both the ruling party and the opposition, are in danger of being overtaken by events.

Morgan Tsvangirai wants to head off street protests

Mounting anger over runaway inflation and continuing lawlessness is shifting attention away from politics and towards street protests.

The opposition is trying to contain and channel the frustration of many of its supporters by announcing that it will attempt to impeach President Mugabe for what it describes as gross violations of the constitution.

The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, said all members of parliament of genuine goodwill should feel compelled to support the initiative when the parliament reconvenes on Tuesday.

But the Movement for Democratic Change does not have the two-thirds of seats it needs to carry out impeachment, and the ruling party MPs will not support the move.

Violent protests

By announcing the impeachment attempt, the opposition is probably hoping to head off further spontaneous protests like those which broke out in the suburbs of Mabvuku and Tafara.

Increases in bus fares led people in these areas to burn and stone several vehicles.

Riot police responded with tear-gas, but the protests continued throughout the day, spreading to other Harare townships.

Those taking part said the prices of such basics as transport and food were now so high that they had nothing to lose by taking to the streets.