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| Zimbabwe opposition strike fails | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Many Zimbabwean shops and businesses are open as usual despite opposition calls for a general strike to press for election results to be published. | Many Zimbabwean shops and businesses are open as usual despite opposition calls for a general strike to press for election results to be published. |
| Correspondents say many people cannot afford to lose a day's pay, while some say they have not heard of the strike. | Correspondents say many people cannot afford to lose a day's pay, while some say they have not heard of the strike. |
| Armed police and soldiers are on patrol, even though there are no plans for street protests. | Armed police and soldiers are on patrol, even though there are no plans for street protests. |
| The opposition says Morgan Tsvangirai defeated President Robert Mugabe and that the count is being rigged. | The opposition says Morgan Tsvangirai defeated President Robert Mugabe and that the count is being rigged. |
| This is denied by the government, while the police accuse Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of "agitating for violence" by calling for the strike. | This is denied by the government, while the police accuse Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of "agitating for violence" by calling for the strike. |
| I did not even know about this stayaway Mthandazo Ncube Zimbabweans react to strike callNo quick fix for economy | I did not even know about this stayaway Mthandazo Ncube Zimbabweans react to strike callNo quick fix for economy |
| Meanwhile, South Africa's ruling ANC has said there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, directly contradicting President Thabo Mbeki. | Meanwhile, South Africa's ruling ANC has said there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, directly contradicting President Thabo Mbeki. |
| The ANC said the "dire" situation could affect the whole region. At the weekend, Mr Mbeki said there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. | |
| The MDC will be encouraged by the statement - it wants Zimbabwe's neighbours to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to accept the results. | |
| Queues | Queues |
| Journalist Themba Nkosi in the second city Bulawayo told the BBC it was "business as usual", with public transport running as normal. | Journalist Themba Nkosi in the second city Bulawayo told the BBC it was "business as usual", with public transport running as normal. |
| Zimbabwe is suffering from an acute economic crisis and just 20% of adults are believed to be formally employed. | Zimbabwe is suffering from an acute economic crisis and just 20% of adults are believed to be formally employed. |
| MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti on the need for a strike | MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti on the need for a strike |
| Many others try to earn a living by selling vegetables or goods by the roadside. | Many others try to earn a living by selling vegetables or goods by the roadside. |
| The AFP news agency reported there were the usual long queues outsides banks and supermarkets. | The AFP news agency reported there were the usual long queues outsides banks and supermarkets. |
| "I did not even know about this stayaway," said Mthandazo Ncube, as he went to work in central Harare. | "I did not even know about this stayaway," said Mthandazo Ncube, as he went to work in central Harare. |
| MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti said people should stay at home, adding that he feared any demonstrations would be ruthlessly put down. | MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti said people should stay at home, adding that he feared any demonstrations would be ruthlessly put down. |
| "If you demonstrate in Zimbabwe, Mugabe will kill you. There is a de facto state of emergency at the moment," he told the BBC. | "If you demonstrate in Zimbabwe, Mugabe will kill you. There is a de facto state of emergency at the moment," he told the BBC. |
| The police have banned any public demonstrations and warn that "those who breach the peace will be dealt with severely and firmly". | The police have banned any public demonstrations and warn that "those who breach the peace will be dealt with severely and firmly". |
| The MDC says that violence is increasing around the country, as Mr Mugabe's supporters prepare for a possible run-off. | The MDC says that violence is increasing around the country, as Mr Mugabe's supporters prepare for a possible run-off. |
| Mr Biti told the BBC that two of its activists had been killed and 200 hospitalised after being assaulted by ruling party militias. | Mr Biti told the BBC that two of its activists had been killed and 200 hospitalised after being assaulted by ruling party militias. |
| The MDC says its activists are being targeted in rural areas which voted for the opposition. | The MDC says its activists are being targeted in rural areas which voted for the opposition. |
| 'Ridiculous' | 'Ridiculous' |
| The election commission says it cannot release the results of the presidential election until a recount in some areas is completed at the weekend. | The election commission says it cannot release the results of the presidential election until a recount in some areas is completed at the weekend. |
| Shops may be open but they may not have much to sell | Shops may be open but they may not have much to sell |
| The MDC is challenging the recount in court. The recount of presidential and parliamentary results in 23 constituencies is to start on Saturday. | The MDC is challenging the recount in court. The recount of presidential and parliamentary results in 23 constituencies is to start on Saturday. |
| Zanu-PF wanted a recount in 22 constituencies, while an MDC recount request in one seat has also been granted. | Zanu-PF wanted a recount in 22 constituencies, while an MDC recount request in one seat has also been granted. |
| The High Court on Monday dismissed an opposition petition to order the results to be released immediately, saying the reported anomalies should first be investigated. | The High Court on Monday dismissed an opposition petition to order the results to be released immediately, saying the reported anomalies should first be investigated. |
| MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told the BBC the High Court ruling in the capital, Harare, was "absolutely ridiculous and incredible". | MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told the BBC the High Court ruling in the capital, Harare, was "absolutely ridiculous and incredible". |
| Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF welcomed Monday's ruling, denying the court was biased towards the ruling party. | Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF welcomed Monday's ruling, denying the court was biased towards the ruling party. |
| Amid the ongoing tension, Mr Tsvangirai is currently basing himself in neighbouring Botswana. | Amid the ongoing tension, Mr Tsvangirai is currently basing himself in neighbouring Botswana. |
| His spokesman says this is to help him lobby regional leaders. | His spokesman says this is to help him lobby regional leaders. |
| Independent tallies suggested Mr Tsvangirai won the poll, but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would have to face a run-off. | Independent tallies suggested Mr Tsvangirai won the poll, but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would have to face a run-off. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY As much as I would want the man out, I will not participate in a strike as this is hopelessly ineffective against a regime of this kind Peter, ZimbabweSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY As much as I would want the man out, I will not participate in a strike as this is hopelessly ineffective against a regime of this kind Peter, ZimbabweSend us your comments |
| But the MDC says it would not take part in a run-off, saying a further election would mean increased violence - the first round was relatively peaceful. | But the MDC says it would not take part in a run-off, saying a further election would mean increased violence - the first round was relatively peaceful. |
| The polls also saw Zanu-PF lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in Mr Mugabe's 28-year rule. | The polls also saw Zanu-PF lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in Mr Mugabe's 28-year rule. |
| But it could be recovered if the ruling party is awarded just nine of the 23 seats subject to a recount. | But it could be recovered if the ruling party is awarded just nine of the 23 seats subject to a recount. |
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| Are you in Zimbabwe? Will you participate in a strike? Send your comments using the form below. | Are you in Zimbabwe? Will you participate in a strike? Send your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |