Zimbabwe opposition plans more strikes, protests

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- A general strike shut down much of Zimbabwe's already crippled economy Tuesday, and security forces prevented efforts to organize massive street protests against President Robert Mugabe.

Most banks, shops, and other businesses remained closed across the troubled southern African country on the second day of a weeklong show of anti-government sentiment by an increasingly defiant opposition.

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

Security forces reacted swiftly to crush 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 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 adds to the growing dissent in a country where ordinary people struggle to survive while the ruling elite enjoy lavish lifestyles and frequent travel abroad.

Downtown Harare, the capital, was as quiet as a Sunday because of the strike while 90 percent of the businesses in Bulawayo, the second-largest city, closed, said Douglas Mwonzora, of the Monitors of the National Constitutional Assembly, an alliance of civic and reform groups.

Provincial towns, which are opposition strongholds, reported that 70 percent of businesses closed for the strike, Mwonzora said.

Authorities arrested at least 154 people, including opposition activists and at least six lawmakers, across the country Monday, police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said.

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

The government of neighboring South Africa issued a muted response to the violence and protests.

"More than ever before, the South African government remains convinced that there is no substitute for dialogue between (the ruling) Zanu-PF and the (opposition) Movement for Democratic Change," said a statement from South Africa's Foreign Ministry.

The South African leaders have been reluctant to denounce Mugabe, who supported their anti-apartheid struggle.

The increasingly unpopular Mugabe pushed the passage of severe new security laws last year allowing the government to ban public gatherings.

On Tuesday, police fired tear gas as people gathered in the western Harare township of Warren Park, the Movement for Democratic Change said in a statement. No injuries were reported.

On Monday, scores of demonstrators were forced to lie on sidewalks or the ground while police or soldiers beat and kicked them.

Adding to tensions, the government asked the Harare High Court on Tuesday to prevent Tsvangirai from making public calls for strikes and protests. If the judge grants the request, he and two other opposition officials could be arrested for making "inflammatory statements."