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Government hits back at Zimbabwe strikers, protesters

Most stores and offices in the Zimbabwean capital remained closed yesterday, despite government threats against businesses supporting a strike led by the opposition.

The general strike, now in its third day, has succeeded in shutting down much of Zimbabwe's already crippled economy, but security forces prevented efforts to organize massive street protests against President Robert Mugabe.

The opposition said it hoped the strike and weeklong protest would be a "final push" to force the unpopular and increasingly repressive Mugabe to step down after 23 years in office.

As part of a government crackdown on opposition-aligned businesses, state television reported that teams from the country's security agencies have begun investigating firms for allegedly locking out workers in support of the anti-government strike.

The government will withdraw trading licenses and the work permits of foreign managers and employees of companies that stopped work during strikes and protests it has declared illegal, the television reported.

Foreigners "were given work permits to work, not to close," Commerce Minister Samuel Mbengegwi said.

Meanwhile, police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena told state television that at least 300 opposition officials, activists and supporters have been arrested since the protest action began Monday.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was among those arrested but was later released.

Security forces reacted swiftly to crush the street demonstrations, using rubber clubs, rifle butts, water cannon, tear gas and warning shots with live ammunition to disperse crowds.

Rather than risk confrontation with government troops and police, many Zimbabweans stayed home. The general strike halted commerce in major cities, putting more pressure on a national economy near collapse.

The opposition blames Mugabe for sinking the country into political and economic ruin. There are shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and currency. Annual inflation is at 269 percent. Widespread starvation has been avoided only with international aid.

Economic hardship has added to the growing dissent in a country where ordinary people struggle to survive while the ruling elite enjoy lavish lifestyles and frequent travel abroad.

Agriculture, the biggest sector of the economy, has ground to a virtual standstill since Mugabe's controversial land reforms were completed last year.
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