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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Zimbabwe police seal off capital | Zimbabwe police seal off capital |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's security forces have put up roadblocks and deployed around the capital to prevent demonstrations, which the government says are illegal. | Zimbabwe's security forces have put up roadblocks and deployed around the capital to prevent demonstrations, which the government says are illegal. |
| The main trade union is reported to have called off their march in Harare. The second city Bulawayo is also reported to be quiet. | The main trade union is reported to have called off their march in Harare. The second city Bulawayo is also reported to be quiet. |
| The Congress of Trade Unions is protesting at a deep economic crisis, with inflation at about 1,000%. | The Congress of Trade Unions is protesting at a deep economic crisis, with inflation at about 1,000%. |
| They want higher incomes, lower taxes and more medicines to fight HIV/Aids. | They want higher incomes, lower taxes and more medicines to fight HIV/Aids. |
| The ZCTU called for demonstrations in 34 towns and cities across Zimbabwe. | The ZCTU called for demonstrations in 34 towns and cities across Zimbabwe. |
| But there were predications of a low turnout, with the threat of a violent crackdown and mass arrests putting many off - as well as the prospect of forfeiting a day's income. | But there were predications of a low turnout, with the threat of a violent crackdown and mass arrests putting many off - as well as the prospect of forfeiting a day's income. |
| Warnings | Warnings |
| The union action is supported by church groups and the main opposition party - the Movement for Democratic Change. | The union action is supported by church groups and the main opposition party - the Movement for Democratic Change. |
| On Monday, dozens of protesting women were arrested in the capital by police protesting at a lack of municipal services. | On Monday, dozens of protesting women were arrested in the capital by police protesting at a lack of municipal services. |
| ZIMBABWE CRISIS Life expectancy 30 yearsHigh dependency on food aid20% adult HIV prevalenceShortages of basic foodstuffsHigh unemploymentInflation 1,000% Have Your Say | |
| Earlier, police spokesman Wayne Bzudzijena had warned that they would be out in full force to maintain peace and order. | Earlier, police spokesman Wayne Bzudzijena had warned that they would be out in full force to maintain peace and order. |
| Under Zimbabwean laws, public demonstrations require police clearance and unauthorised gatherings are frequently broken up. | Under Zimbabwean laws, public demonstrations require police clearance and unauthorised gatherings are frequently broken up. |
| "Those who want to go about their normal, legitimate business in town can do so without fear," he told AFP news agency. | "Those who want to go about their normal, legitimate business in town can do so without fear," he told AFP news agency. |
| But ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe had said they would not be deterred by police threats. | But ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe had said they would not be deterred by police threats. |
| "Are we not already being crushed by hunger and poverty?" he said. | "Are we not already being crushed by hunger and poverty?" he said. |
| Zimbabwe's economy has been in sharp decline for more than six years. | Zimbabwe's economy has been in sharp decline for more than six years. |