Government opponents in Zimbabwe, bloodied and defiant after police brutally crushed fresh dissent, today vowed to drive President Robert Mugabe from office in a campaign of protest they described as “war” against the nation’s rulers.

A two-day general strike got off to a slow start today with most Zimbabweans seemingly heeding police warnings not to participate in the protest against the forced removal of tens of thousands of informal traders and shack dwellers from city streets.

A retired Zimbabwe High Court judge accused of corruption was freed on bail today by a magistrate who heard he was denied food, medication and access to lawyers and his family on the first day of custody.

Hours after the official closing time for polling stations, Zimbabwean voters stood their ground early today, determined to cast their votes in the most dramatic election in their country’s history.