Military

DATE=6/2/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / SCENE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-303891

BYLINE= TENDAI MAPHOSA

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT

INTRO: On the first day of planned anti-government strikes and protests in Zimbabwe, all business activity was brought to a standstill in the capital, Harare. But as Tendai Maphosa reports, getting people to march on the city streets was proving to be a major challenge.

TEXT: Driving into the city during what is normally morning rush hour was easy, as there were very few cars on the roads leading into the city center. Police at roadblocks stopped some cars and searched them.

In the city center it seemed like a public holiday, as all businesses were closed. The few people who decided to report for work had to go back home.

There is a heavy security presence in the city and armed police have thrown a two-block cordon around State House, the residence of the president. The security agents are taking no chances, despite of assurances by the opposition that there is no plan to march on the president's house.

The strike is designed to force President Robert Mugabe to negotiate his own removal from office. He has said he will not do that.

Ruling party youths have launched a campaign of tearing up copies of the Daily News, the newspaper accused of being a mouthpiece of the opposition.

Police have also established a heavy presence on the campus of the University of Zimbabwe where thousands of students tried to march into the city. Armed police and soldiers beat up some students. The popping sound of tear gas canisters being fired could be heard as an army helicopter flew overhead.

A leading opposition Member of Parliament, Tendai Biti, says while it seems the idea of marching into the city may not be feasible due to the heavy police presence, people will demonstrate in their own neighborhoods. He also says that his party may consider making the planned five-day strike strike indefinite. (SIGNED)

NEB/TM/AWP/RAE