Zimbabwe national strike fizzles out

A national protest strike was fizzling out in Zimbabwe today as the nation’s economic meltdown favoured the government.

Commuter buses ran normally and a heavy presence of police and troops deployed yesterday was mostly withdrawn.

A military surveillance helicopter flew over the Harare after Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu warned a national reaction force was still on alert and ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Employers reported a lower level of absenteeism and said businesses were able to open their doors.

Managers at a commercial firm in Harare reported that staff said they went to work afraid of losing their jobs with little prospect of finding other work.

Record unemployment is estimated at about 80 per cent.

Staff also admitted they didn’t want to miss lunch at the firm’s canteen, the only regular daily meal they could rely on.

Some who were supporters of the strike stopped work after lunch, the managers said.

Others could not afford to have their pay docked by two days.