HEADLINES:
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R/£ Few answer MDC's call to stay away from work
April 16, 2008 Edition 2
HARARE: The Zimbabwe opposition's campaign to force the release of results from last month's presidential election suffered a fresh blow yesterday when their call for a general strike went largely unheeded.
Despite the stay-away call by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), most shops and services were open for business and an initial heavy security presence was eased as it became apparent that the job boycott had flopped.
The party had called for workers to remain at home indefinitely after the country's high court had rejected its petition, calling on the electoral commission to immediately declare the outcome of the March 29 poll, on Monday.
Many in Harare said they had not been aware of the protest, which is hardly surprising as the state controls most of the media.
Zimbabwe is still waiting for the presidential results 17 days after a vote that long-time ruler Robert Mugabe apparently lost.
"Every Zimbabwean should stay at home until (the electoral commission) announces the results for the presidential poll," opposition spokesman Nqobizitha Mlilo said.
Police and soldiers had spread out across Harare in the early morning and the government said that they had been sent there to prevent any outbreaks of violence and looting.
There had been little publicity about the strike before yesterday, and traffic moved through the capital as usual.
Banks and stores were open and many of those downtown said they hadn't known a strike was called.
Some said the state's control of the media meant it was difficult for MDC to inform people.
Still, commuters reported fewer privately run minibuses on the road, suggesting that some transport workers had stayed away.
Some restaurants in Harare reported not having their full staff at work.
Past strike calls have been met with resistance by impoverished workers, who cannot afford to lose even a day's wages in a country with surging inflation and 80% unemployment.
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