Mugabe blamed for the violence at Beitbridge

There are ongoing concerns over the situation at Beitbridge border post, with Zimbabwe’s main opposition party saying President Robert Mugabe’s government invited retaliatory measures by imposing what it says amounts to a ban on imports.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was responding to violent protests that gripped the Zimbabwean side of Beitbridge border on Friday.

Morgan Tsvangirai’s party says it’s deeply concerned over the latest disturbances at Beitbridge.

It says millions of Zimbabweans now earn a living through trading and vending, and that the government bungled by imposing a blanket ban on imports.

The latest reports today say the border is not closed but that there is a heavy police presence after a warehouse was set on fire on Friday in protest.

Zimbabwe’s state-owned Chronicle says protesters threw stones, destroyed a house and looted a fast food outlet.

Two weeks ago, authorities began implementing restrictions on the importation of food, beauty products and building materials, which mostly come in from South Africa.