ZIMBABWE: The call for a national strike began with white farmers in the Glendale and Karoi areas who closed down their operations to protest against continued violence and lack of police protection. Support for a stoppage spread to Harare and other cities. The strike was called to protest against the violence used by President Robert Mugabe's supporters against white farmers, their workers and city residents.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, a former union leader, has encouraged the ZCTU to support the farmers and bring the country to a standstill on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
"We'll review what happens this week," says a ZCTU information officer to the Sunday Times. "With no satisfactory response from the government there will rolling mass action. We'll only call it off if something serious is done."