2008 Woodie Awards
Strike falters in Zimbabwe over delay of vote results
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: World
HARARE, Zimbabwe - A nationwide strike called by Zimbabwe's opposition to protest the withholding of election results appeared to falter yesterday as police and soldiers fanned out across the country.
Many in the capital said they were not aware of the protest. Most of the news media are state-controlled.
Zimbabwe is still waiting for the presidential results 17 days after a vote that longtime ruler Robert Mugabe apparently lost. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, whose efforts to force the release of results have failed, called on Zimbabweans to stay home yesterday in a low-key show of solidarity.
"Every Zimbabwean should stay at home until [the electoral commission] announces the results for the presidential poll," opposition spokesman Nqobizitha Mlilo said in a statement.
Police and soldiers spread out across Harare in the early morning; the government said they were sent to prevent 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 fully inform everyone.
Still, commuters reported fewer privately run minibuses on the road, suggesting that some transport workers were staying away. Some downtown restaurants said they were missing staff.
Past strike calls have been met with resistance by impoverished workers, who cannot afford to lose even one day's wages in a country with surging inflation and 80 percent unemployment.
Many in the capital said they were not aware of the protest. Most of the news media are state-controlled.
Zimbabwe is still waiting for the presidential results 17 days after a vote that longtime ruler Robert Mugabe apparently lost. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, whose efforts to force the release of results have failed, called on Zimbabweans to stay home yesterday in a low-key show of solidarity.
"Every Zimbabwean should stay at home until [the electoral commission] announces the results for the presidential poll," opposition spokesman Nqobizitha Mlilo said in a statement.
Police and soldiers spread out across Harare in the early morning; the government said they were sent to prevent 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 fully inform everyone.
Still, commuters reported fewer privately run minibuses on the road, suggesting that some transport workers were staying away. Some downtown restaurants said they were missing staff.
Past strike calls have been met with resistance by impoverished workers, who cannot afford to lose even one day's wages in a country with surging inflation and 80 percent unemployment.
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