National strike closes businesses in Zimbabwe

A national strike called to protest against the increasingly authoritarian Zimbabwe government closed businesses and disrupted transport across the country for a second day today.

Police reinforcements were deployed in Bulawayo, the country’s second city. In the capital Harare, factory owners said fewer workers had shown up for work today.

“Those who have made it say the buses are harder to get today. Some have walked to work,” said furniture factory supervisor Amos Chimedza.

He said that with about 60% of workers absent, many businesses sent staff home and closed their gates.

President Robert Mugabe’s government has yet to comment on the strikes.

The two-day action was called by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change to protest against alleged government repression and acute shortages of food and fuel.

In clandestinely distributed fliers, the opposition called for peaceful protests carried out with the “utmost discipline”.

“People must demand change through action if we are to survive in these trying times,” the fliers said.

Police said 53 people were arrested in sporadic violence yesterday in impoverished townships surrounding Harare.

The response to the call for “mass action” was the largest since Mugabe was re-elected last year.

The election was denounced by the opposition after international observers said it was swayed by intimidation and rigging.