Thousands held in Zimbabwe blitz (BBC News) [View All]

[Anarcho-Socialist]

More than 22,000 people have been arrested in the recent crackdown on Zimbabwe's shantytowns, a police spokesman has told state media.
He said some of those made homeless when their shacks were demolished in the capital, Harare, were being sent back to their rural homes.

Residents and riot police clashed overnight in the second city, Bulawayo. Meanwhile, the head of the World Food Programme has discussed Zimbabwe's food needs with President Robert Mugabe.

Millions of people are suffering from food shortages and Mr Mugabe told James Morris he would "welcome" food aid, Mr Morris said. Last year, Mr Mugabe asked the WFP to scale down its operations, saying Zimbabweans had so much food, "they were choking".

Mr Mugabe's critics say the shortages have been caused by his seizure of white-owned land. He denies this, blaming the weather and a Western plot to remove him from power.

More at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4598645.stm