Strike falters in Zimbabwe

Mugabe's election victory has been dismissed by the opposition

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- A general strike called by labour unions continued to falter in Zimbabwe as retribution attacks were reported against supporters of the opposition.

Backing for a national strike called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) fell during its second day on Thursday after a patchy start the previous day.

Some factories remained closed, but most banks and shops reopened. Government offices, post offices and schools have not joined the strike at all.

About half of businesses had shut at the peak of the strike on Wednesday, although that figure fallen to about 30 percent by the end of the day.

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The authorities have declared the strike illegal, but police kept a low profile apart from several roadblocks.

Union leaders, who blamed draconian new law and order acts for the poor showing, vowed to continue with the three-day strike.

The laws ban public gatherings and impose penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

The state-controlled Herald newspaper dismissed the strike as a failure, "which has removed the spectre of mass action from Zimbabwean politics."

"The failure of the stayaway (strike) called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions shows that for most urban people, economic troubles are far more important than political wishes," the newspaper said in an editorial.

The strike had been called in protest at the March 9-11 presidential election result which saw incumbent Robert Mugabe extend his 22-year reign by another six year term.

The poll had been criticised for being held in an atmosphere of fear and violence and Zimbabwe has subsequently been suspended for a year by the Commonwealth.

Hopes for national reconciliation suffered another setback when Mugabe's controversial land reform programme has intensified since his re-election.

A white farmer was killed on Monday, followed by a black farm worker on Thursday.

The Commercial Farmers Union said 25 farmers had been assaulted and at least 50 farmers have been illegally evicted from their properties.

Hundreds of workers were forced to flee their jobs and 66 farmers were arrested, it added.

CFU President Colin Cloete said in a statement: "Incidents of harassment, trashing and looting, forced eviction and extortion as well as political retribution have reached alarming proportions since the ... election."

The allegations have not been independently verified.

White farmers had generally supported Mugabe's main opponent Morgan Tsvangirai, who had promised an end to the often violent seizures of white-owned farms preferring instead dialogue.

Most of those arrested face charges they violated new security laws by using licensed radio equipment for political activities, the union said.