Zimbabweans ignore opposition's call for strike

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Opposition attempts to stage a nationwide strike to demand the release of election results largely fizzled Tuesday as many of the few Zimbabweans with jobs reported to work in this economically ravaged nation.

The failure underscored the difficulty opposition leaders have had harnessing popular anger against President Robert Mugabe's regime to try to force the release of the official vote count from the March 29 presidential ballot.

"We have done this before and nothing has changed," said an engineer who gave his name only as Mudiwa. "Speaking for myself, my family comes first. I have to feed my family. The opposition won't bring bread in my house."

Four of every five workers are estimated to be jobless amid an economic collapse blamed on Mugabe ordering the seizure of white-owned commercial farms beginning in 2000, a move that devastated an industry that once produced enough to feed Zimbabwe and export to its neighbors.

Some workers said they were not even aware of the strike call, a fact the opposition blamed on the government's media monopoly. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai insists he won the presidential election and has accused Mugabe of withholding the results to extend his 28-year grip on power. Independent monitors say their tallies show Tsvangirai got the most votes but not enough to avoid a runoff.

Tsvangirai has said he would not accept a runoff. But his spokesman said Tuesday he might participate if a tally verified by both parties and regional monitors showed one was needed — and if the international community administered the new election.

The High Court rejected an opposition petition Monday calling for the immediate release of the results, and opposition officials then called for Zimbabweans to stay home Tuesday in a show of solidarity to pressure the government.

With political rallies banned, soldiers with assault rifles and police in riot gear fanned out across Harare and its suburbs Tuesday morning.

The government said they were sent to prevent violence and looting.

Traffic moved through the capital as usual, and banks and stores were open.