REGULAR FEATURES: Barometer of Resistance: Southern Africa

Zimbabwean police, backed by army helicopters, armoured cars, arrested 63 protesters during a national MDC strike. People burnt a bus.

Over 500 Zimbabweans marched in Johannesburg on Human Rights Day in South Africa. The Zimbabweans demanded that South Africa and SADC should intervene in the violation of human rights in Zimbabwe.

500 MDC members were arrested as part of President Mugabe’s crackdown on the opposition.

Zimbabwean police arrested the MDC’s information secretary Themba Nyathi, after he attended a bail application hearing for vice-president Gibson Sibanda of the MDC.

Swaziland Solidarity Network picket highlighted gross violation of human rights, intimidation of the people of Swaziland by the judiciary, and suppression of women in Swaziland.

The ZCTU called a called for a three-day (23 –25 April) national strike to protest against escalating fuel price rises.

Several ZCTU offi cials were arrested Just before the proposed fuel price hikes. Some were arrested for distributing pamphlets calling for the stay away.

Three thousand NAFAU members struck demanding wages increase and better conditions of service. This led to the “temporary closure” of the Ramatex factory in Windhoek.

The ZCTU began a three-day national strike against escalating fuel prices.

The state-owned post offi ce fi red nearly 3 000 workers for taking part in the strike. Most of workers who were fi red are members of the ZCTU affi liated union.

Trade unions marched to commemorate International Workers Day and highlight complaints concerning the need for better salaries and social conditions.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association declared an indefi nite strike after the government failed to accept demands by the teachers for an immediate salary review.

Eight members of a small opposition party in Zimbabwe were arrested outside president Robert Mugabe’s offi cial residence for protesting.

Medical doctors at Zambia’s biggest hospital, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) went on strike in a salary dispute with the government.

Zimbabwe riot police arrested three women who were holding prayers ahead of planned two week long MDC protests. Police armed with batons and tear gas ploughed into the lunchtime prayer crowd in Harare, assaulting people.

The Municipality threatened to cut off water and electricity and evict several families who can’t afford rent.

180 contract workers from India (men workers) on strike against bad work conditions and non-respect of their work contracts .

At least one hawker was shot and several others injured by Maseru City Council Security and police when the forces tried to evict hawkers from the main streets.

The Harbour and Dock Workers’ Union set up a port workers’ common front against privatization.

All civil service unions together put in a case in the Supreme Court to challenge the amendment to the Industrial Relations Act, which prevents government employees’ unions declaring certain trade disputes.

800 Free Zone Factory Workers (majority women) held street demonstration from factory at Les Casernes to Curepipe City Centre This factory being closed down under globalization “logic”; workers with 20 years’ experience urge Government to pay proper unemployment benefi t, and to force capital to invest in job-creation in agriculture, food production and other worthwhile things. Lalit, a socialist party in Mauritius, assisted in organizing the demonstration.

After the double gang-rape of a young woman who then came out publicly on radio and in the newspapers to denounce rapists, and after her calling a massive demonstration last year, this year the Women claim victory and launch information campaign about new development of Rape Crisis Units in HOSPITALS, as first place women victims of rape, have to call to, instead of to police stations, as before.

Activists complain that the MDC and ZANU PF are becoming too close since the MDC have dropped the issue of Mugabe’s legitimacy off the talks agenda. Activists warned that the black bourgeoisie in ZANU PF are ready to strike a deal with the MDC that can guarantee accumulation.

A two-week strike by 120 000 Zambian civil servants took place over government’s failure to pay housing allowances, in breach of a collective agreement. The ZCTU decided to end the strike and pursue the case in court. During the strike, police attacked workers with teargas.