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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Police deploy for Zimbabwe strike | Police deploy for Zimbabwe strike |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Security forces have been deployed in Zimbabwe as unions started a two-day strike in protest against the country's worsening economic crisis. | Security forces have been deployed in Zimbabwe as unions started a two-day strike in protest against the country's worsening economic crisis. |
| Police blocked roads into the capital, Harare, and military helicopters were seen patrolling the city. | Police blocked roads into the capital, Harare, and military helicopters were seen patrolling the city. |
| But the strike has so far had a slow start. Many workers cannot afford to lose pay and are instead going to work. | But the strike has so far had a slow start. Many workers cannot afford to lose pay and are instead going to work. |
| The capital was slightly quieter than usual, but many shops and offices were open in the central business district. | The capital was slightly quieter than usual, but many shops and offices were open in the central business district. |
| 'Only solution' | 'Only solution' |
| Zimbabwe's main trade union, the Congress of Trades Unions (ZCTU), says it called the general strike over the government's failure to respond to the economic meltdown and was pushing for wage rises. | Zimbabwe's main trade union, the Congress of Trades Unions (ZCTU), says it called the general strike over the government's failure to respond to the economic meltdown and was pushing for wage rises. |
| More than 80% of Zimbabweans live in poverty and inflation is running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world. | More than 80% of Zimbabweans live in poverty and inflation is running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world. |
| I understand what the ZCTU is trying to do for us ... but things are so hard I cannot afford to lose this job Dickson MaparaZimbabwean factory worker class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5931&start=0&edition=2&ttl=20070327213253">Have Your Say | |
| "This ... is the only solution to make sure that the authorities should come back to the negotiating table," ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo said. "We are quite aware of what the government is likely to do." | "This ... is the only solution to make sure that the authorities should come back to the negotiating table," ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo said. "We are quite aware of what the government is likely to do." |
| But a clothing factory worker in Harare told Reuters news agency that workers feared losing their jobs if they went on strike. | But a clothing factory worker in Harare told Reuters news agency that workers feared losing their jobs if they went on strike. |
| "I understand what the ZCTU is trying to do for us ... but things are so hard I cannot afford to lose this job, and although I get very little, I cannot afford to get nothing at all," Dickson Mapara said. | "I understand what the ZCTU is trying to do for us ... but things are so hard I cannot afford to lose this job, and although I get very little, I cannot afford to get nothing at all," Dickson Mapara said. |
| Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said the elite National Reaction Force had been deployed and would target those who threaten the government. | Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said the elite National Reaction Force had been deployed and would target those who threaten the government. |
| "The police will be on the lookout for people who commit such offences and when arrested they should not cry foul," he said. | "The police will be on the lookout for people who commit such offences and when arrested they should not cry foul," he said. |
| There were no street demonstrations planned for the strike, amid fears of police violence, unions said. | There were no street demonstrations planned for the strike, amid fears of police violence, unions said. |
| No regime change | No regime change |
| Meanwhile, South African President Thabo Mbeki says he wants to promote a compromise between rival factions in Zimbabwe but would not push for regime change. | Meanwhile, South African President Thabo Mbeki says he wants to promote a compromise between rival factions in Zimbabwe but would not push for regime change. |
| Mr Mbeki said he would not cut power supplies to Zimbabwe | Mr Mbeki said he would not cut power supplies to Zimbabwe |
| Mr Mbeki told the UK's Financial Times that there was no big stick available to change the government in Harare but there was a need to tackle Zimbabwe's elections. | Mr Mbeki told the UK's Financial Times that there was no big stick available to change the government in Harare but there was a need to tackle Zimbabwe's elections. |
| "We have to get the Zimbabweans talking so we do have elections that are free and fair," he said. | "We have to get the Zimbabweans talking so we do have elections that are free and fair," he said. |
| Southern African leaders last week appointed Mr Mbeki to mediate between Mr Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party. | Southern African leaders last week appointed Mr Mbeki to mediate between Mr Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party. |
| On Saturday, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said nine members of his party had been badly beaten up in custody after being arrested. | On Saturday, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said nine members of his party had been badly beaten up in custody after being arrested. |
| Last week, Zanu-PF announced that Mr Mugabe would be its candidate in next year's election, letting the president stay in power until 2013, when he would be nearly 90. | Last week, Zanu-PF announced that Mr Mugabe would be its candidate in next year's election, letting the president stay in power until 2013, when he would be nearly 90. |