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Zimbabweans urged to stay at home Muted response to Zimbabwe strike
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change has called a general strike amid tight security even though no demonstrations are planned. Many Zimbabwean shops and businesses are open as usual despite opposition calls for a general strike to press for election results to be published.
But early reports suggest there has been a muted response, as many people cannot afford to lose a day's pay. Correspondents say many people cannot afford to lose a day's pay, while some say they have not heard of the strike.
It comes after the High Court ruled against an MDC demand for the release of presidential election results. Armed police and soldiers are on patrol, even though there are no plans for street protests.
The opposition says Morgan Tsvangirai beat 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.
Police accuse the 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.
Rather than street protests, opposition officials have called for a "mass stay-in until the results are released", MDC Vice-President Thokhozani Khupe was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. I did not even know about this stayaway Mthandazo Ncube
Journalist Themba Nkosi in the second city Bulawayo says it is "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.
He says armed police and soldiers are patrolling the streets. Zimbabwe is suffering from an acute economic crisis and just 20% of adults are believed to be formally employed.
Police warned that "those who breach the peace will be dealt with severely and firmly". Many others try to earn a living by selling vegetables or goods by the roadside.
But with four out of five Zimbabweans jobless, widespread fear of the security forces, and rallies banned, it is not clear how much impact the strike will have, says the BBC's southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles. 'Dictator'
'Ridiculous ruling' The AFP news agency reported there were the usual long queues outsides banks and supermarkets.
On Monday, the High Court judge said the outcome of 29 March presidential polls could not be published until reports of anomalies in some constituencies had been investigated. "I did not even know about this stayaway," said Mthandazo Ncube, as he went to work in central Harare.
MDC officials and their homes have allegedly been attacked since the polls The contents of Zimbabwe's ballot boxes are still a matter of dispute
Electoral officials had said they could not release the result until after a recount of the vote in some areas. MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti said people should stay at home, adding that he feared any demonstrations would be ruthlessly put down.
"The calls that have been made inside Zimbabwe are not for any physical confrontation with the dictator," he told South African radio.
"Stay away from work. That imposes little, minimum risk," he said.
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.
On Monday, it said that one of its polling agents had been killed after being abducted by ruling party militias in the north-west.
It says its activists are being targeted in rural areas which voted for the opposition.
'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 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.
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".
It comes amid reports of increasing violence around the country.
Some 200 MDC elections agents and activists have been assaulted - one fatally - by ruling party activists attempting to intimidate them before any run-off vote for president, Mr Chamisa said.
About 1,000 people have reportedly been displaced by political violence in the eastern Manicaland province.
Possible run-off
Amid the ongoing tension, Mr Tsvangirai is currently basing himself in neighbouring Botswana.
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.
His spokesman says this is to help him lobby regional leaders to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to accept the results.
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.
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 electoral commission says a recount of presidential and parliamentary results in 23 constituencies will start on Saturday. The polls also saw Zanu-PF lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in Mr Mugabe's 28-year rule.
Zanu-PF wanted a recount in 22 constituencies, while an MDC recount request in one seat has also been granted.
Zanu-PF has lost 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.
Southern African leaders called for the election results to be announced "expeditiously" during a summit at the weekend in Zambia.Southern African leaders called for the election results to be announced "expeditiously" during a summit at the weekend in Zambia.
But it did not urge Mr Mugabe to step aside, as the MDC had wished.
But it did not urge Mr Mugabe to step aside, as the MDC had wished.
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