This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/5341150.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe police hold union chief | Zimbabwe police hold union chief |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Zimbabwe's main trade union leader has been arrested by police in the capital for holding a demonstration which the government had earlier banned. | Zimbabwe's main trade union leader has been arrested by police in the capital for holding a demonstration which the government had earlier banned. |
| Wellington Chibebe told the BBC he was beaten with batons and rifle butts as the police arrested him and 15 others. | Wellington Chibebe told the BBC he was beaten with batons and rifle butts as the police arrested him and 15 others. |
| Security forces put up roadblocks sealing off the capital, Harare, and are out in force in other major towns. | Security forces put up roadblocks sealing off the capital, Harare, and are out in force in other major towns. |
| The unions have now abandoned protests over the country's economic crisis. | The unions have now abandoned protests over the country's economic crisis. |
| A spokesman for Zimbabwe's Congress of Trade Unions, Mlamleni Sibanda, said the strikes and demonstrations had been halted because of the way the police had reacted. | |
| There were also reports of arrests in other towns and cities, with a large police presence on the streets. | |
| The ZCTU was demonstrating against an inflation rate of 1,000% and demanding higher incomes, lower taxes and more medicines to fight HIV/Aids. | |
| Speaking by telephone from police custody, Mr Chibebe told the BBC that the police moved in as some 1,500 workers gathered to begin their protest. | Speaking by telephone from police custody, Mr Chibebe told the BBC that the police moved in as some 1,500 workers gathered to begin their protest. |
| "I'm saying, we've been arrested when we started our demo. We've been badly beaten." | "I'm saying, we've been arrested when we started our demo. We've been badly beaten." |
| Another ZCTU leader, Lovemore Matombo, also said he was arrested and beaten. | |
| Warnings | Warnings |
| The ZCTU called for demonstrations in 34 towns and cities across Zimbabwe. | The ZCTU called for demonstrations in 34 towns and cities across Zimbabwe. |
| But there were predictions of a low turnout, with the threat of a violent crackdown and mass arrests putting many off - as well as the prospect of forfeiting a day's income. | But there were predictions of a low turnout, with the threat of a violent crackdown and mass arrests putting many off - as well as the prospect of forfeiting a day's income. |
| ZIMBABWE CRISIS Life expectancy 30 yearsHigh dependency on food aid20% adult HIV prevalenceShortages of basic foodstuffsHigh unemploymentInflation 1,000% Have Your Say | ZIMBABWE CRISIS Life expectancy 30 yearsHigh dependency on food aid20% adult HIV prevalenceShortages of basic foodstuffsHigh unemploymentInflation 1,000% Have Your Say |
| The union action was backed by church groups and the main opposition party - the Movement for Democratic Change. | The union action was backed by church groups and the main opposition party - the Movement for Democratic Change. |
| On Monday, dozens of women were arrested in the capital by police for protesting at a lack of municipal services. | On Monday, dozens of women were arrested in the capital by police for protesting at a lack of municipal services. |
| Earlier, police spokesman Wayne Bzudzijena had warned that they would be out in full force to maintain peace and order. | Earlier, police spokesman Wayne Bzudzijena had warned that they would be out in full force to maintain peace and order. |
| Under Zimbabwean laws, public demonstrations require police clearance and unauthorised gatherings are frequently broken up. | Under Zimbabwean laws, public demonstrations require police clearance and unauthorised gatherings are frequently broken up. |
| "Those who want to go about their normal, legitimate business in town can do so without fear," he told AFP news agency. | "Those who want to go about their normal, legitimate business in town can do so without fear," he told AFP news agency. |
| But ZCTU secretary general Mr Chibebe had said they would not be deterred by police threats. | But ZCTU secretary general Mr Chibebe had said they would not be deterred by police threats. |
| "Are we not already being crushed by hunger and poverty?" he said. | "Are we not already being crushed by hunger and poverty?" he said. |
| Zimbabwe's economy has been in sharp decline for more than six years. | Zimbabwe's economy has been in sharp decline for more than six years. |