HARARE, 19 February (IRIN) - A tense calm prevailed in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, on Monday after a police crackdown led to several clashes with angry supporters trying to attend an opposition party rally on Sunday, sanctioned by the High Court.

There were unconfirmed reports that three people died in skirmishes between the police and an estimated 50,000 supporters of the Morgan Tsvangirai-led faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) who had congregated. Police said they were investigating.

The rally was to have seen the launch of the MDC presidential campaign at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfields, a township known for political activism since the 1950s. The running battles with the police spread to nearby townships like Glen View and Glen Norah.

Police deployed six Israeli-made anti-riot water cannons to spray the MDC supporters. The water from the cannons contains chemicals that cause skin irritation.

An IRIN correspondent was caught up in the melee and witnessed heavily armed police beating opposition supporters with batons and firing teargas into the crowds. Some supporters who sought refuge in homes in the township were followed and beaten by the police.

All bars in Harare's suburbs were closed by the police on Sunday. Most residents in the townships remained indoors on Monday, while an uneasy calm lay over the city.

Nelson Chamisa, the spokesman for the MDC faction, said more than 500 supporters had been beaten up and had sustained severe injuries. "We are still making our own investigations on reports that three of our supporters were beaten to death. What we can confirm is that MDC supporters have come to our offices and we have referred them to private doctors, since hospitals are not functioning well because of the strike by doctors. Many have been admitted to private hospitals. A large number sustained broken arms and legs; others had broken ribs, while others lost their teeth. It was carnage of the worst order."

The police had refused to sanction the MDC presidential campaign launch, claiming they did not have enough officers to ensure security at the rally. In terms of the country's repressive Public Order and Security Act (POSA), police have to be informed of any public meeting.

Although hundreds of opposition rallies have been barred by police, no ZANU-PF rally has ever been stopped from taking place.

The MDC took their case to the High Court, where a judge ruled that government had to allow the MDC rally, but more than 2,000 policemen barricaded roads leading to the venue and were seen turning supporters back.

Political commentators said the ruling ZANU-PF party was uncomfortable with the opposition launching its presidential campaign while they were still locked in internal battles over the issue of who is to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe, who has been in office since 1980 and turns 83 this week, was expected to step down in March 2008, but has suggested that his term be extended to 2010 so that joint parliamentary and presidential elections can be held in that year to save money.

However, Vice-President Joyce Mujuru and Rural Housing and Social Amenities Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa are both believed to be intent on becoming president next year.

With annual inflation running at nearly 1,600 percent, shortages of foreign currency and food, tension has been mounting in Zimbabwe over the past few weeks: faith-based and nongovernmental organisations, church groups, workers in many economic sectors, and students have all staged sporadic demonstrations around the country.

On 16 February, Tsvangirai's supporters held a lunchtime demonstration, during which they attacked and destroyed a police station in Harare's central business district and beat up four police officers severely before stabbing them in the buttocks with sharp instruments. Several legislators from the Tsvangirai faction have since been arrested on allegations that they spearheaded the destruction of the police station.

MDC party secretary-general Tendai Biti was arrested on Saturday outside the High Court, where he was getting the court order preventing police from stopping their rally.

On 12 February, illegal vendors, tired of having their wares confiscated by municipal police, beat up 10 officers who wanted to take their goods.

At the end of this week, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions will hold a general council meeting, where calls for a nationwide strike are expected to be endorsed.

Doctors and nurses have been on a strike for more than a month, demanding better salaries and working conditions.

According to the latest survey by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, a family of six has to fork out at least US$1,800 a month to meet basic living requirements including food, shelter and education. The average salary earned by most Zimbabweans is about $100.

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