Mugabe threatens opposition again ...

Zimbabwe Journalists report ..

PRESIDENT Mugabe (who let us never forget Jack Straw shook hands with at the UN ) used a passout parade for police officers yesterday to once again warn the opposition he will ruthlessly crush any attempts at the so called Ukrainian-style street protests against his continued rule in Zimbabwe.

Speaking a day after 25 armed police officers disrupted proceedings at the funeral of opposition Movement for Democratic Change’s (MDC) president, Morgan Tsvangirai’s father,(he died on Sunday aged 78) Mugabe said the country’s security forces were ready to deal with anyone bent on “fanning violence to disturb peace in the country”.The state run Herald (which used to be the Salisbury Herald one of the best papers in Africa) quoted the President , "who claim to be champions of democracy while, in fact, they are willing conduits of violence".

Police arrived in trucks claiming it was an illegal political gathering.

Although the gathering was clearly a funeral the police accused the opposition party MDC, of holding a political gathering without police clearance, as required under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). Totally ignored they eventually, silently sloped off.

The last time Mugabe threatened the MDC against its intended street protests he was addressing supporters who had gathered at Harare's National Sports Stadium for celebrations to mark the country’s 26th birthday. He warned Tsvangirai he was "playing with fire" by attempting to instigate a Ukrainian-style revolt against his government.

Mugabe intends to attend a national day of prayer on Sunday but has been asked to stay away by The Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube who has threatened a boycott.