Johannesburg: The Democratic Alliance and Zimbabwean civic groups have expressed outrage at South Africa's sale of helicopter spares to Zimbabwe.

Yesterday the Zimbabwean air force's Alouette helicopters hovered over Harare in a show of force before the start tomorrow of a two-day strike.

Zimbabwe turned to South Africa for the spare parts after France, from which it had bought the helicopters, refused to supply them because of the European Union arms embargo against President Robert Mugabe's government.

Welshman Ncube, secretary-general of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said the sale confirmed what the party had often said: "South Africa is aiding and abetting the Mugabe regime in its systematic destruction of Zimbabwe.

"We have a regime that goes on buying sprees for arms and their spares in China and South Africa while its people are starving and it has no fuel."

The DA's defence spokesman, Rafiek Shah, said it was morally outrageous for Armscor to sell spare helicopter parts to replenish the armoury of a country that was virtually waging war "against its defenceless citizens".

"What message are we sending to the international community if President Thabo Mbeki's government keeps on allowing South African institutions to aid a thoroughly discredited regime like Robert Mugabe's?" Shah asked.

Armscor spokesman Bertus Celliers confirmed the sale yesterday. It was concluded in March.

Celliers said the sale was not in contravention of the National Council for Conventional Arms Control regulations, as these did not prevent the sale of spare military parts.

The council is required to authorise any sales of military equipment to other countries.

Zimbabwe's National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) spokesman, Lovemore Madhuku, said Armscor should come to Harare to watch the Alouettes at work against innocent civilians "whose only crime will be to try to stage peaceful protests".

"When (Armscor) sees people being brutally beaten during the strike (today and tomorrow), it should know it has played a crucial role in strengthening Mugabe's hand. It should feel happy for its efforts," Madhuku said.

Zimbabwe has used its Alouettes to co-ordinate the efforts of security forces in crushing demonstrations.

Police have mounted roadblocks on all major roads into Harare.

Spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena vowed that the police would deal ruthlessly with anyone participating in the protests, called to highlight the plight of more than 22 000 informal traders who have been arrested and of people left homeless by the destruction of informal settlements.

With acknowledgements to Basildon Peta, Graeme Hoskene and the Cape Times.