National strike paralyses Zimbabwe for second day
A national strike against President Robert Mugabe's economic policies and massive fuel price increases has entered its second day.
Unionists and business leaders say the action is paralysing the economy across the country.
Three journalists arrested while reporting on the strike are scheduled to appear in court for allegedly hampering police in an impoverished strike-bound township in western Harare.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions organised the strike to protest against a 70% rise in petrol prices imposed by the Government on June 12 which has spurred inflation.
It says industrial districts in the main towns and cities have almost totally shut down.
Businessmen in Harare said 90% of factories are closed after workers failed to show up.
They have dismissed claims by the Government and ruling party militants that employers locked out workers who tried to break the strike on Tuesday and arrived at their jobs.
"I had four of my 30 guys come in and it wasn't worth firing up my machines and I sent them home," said one factory owner.
Militants of Mugabe's party plan to meet to decide on possible action against supporters of the two-day strike, which has been declared illegal.
