ZIMBABWE: Anti-government groups in Zimbabwe have called for mass action by the workforce this week to protest against the regime's ongoing crackdown against the country's urban poor.
A mass stayaway from work has been planned for Thursday and Friday by the anti-government coalition and it has also been reported that protests have been planned throughout the country.
For the past two weeks Zimbabwe's government has been involved in an ongoing campaign to eradicate what it refers to as "illegal structures" around the country's main urban districts.
However, the campaign has led to hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans being made homeless and left with no way to earn a living.
News of the move, which has been planned by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), National Constitutional Assembly, the Zimbabwe National Students' Union as well as several other organisations, has intensified the already stressful atmosphere gripping the nation.
Police have increased the number of checkpoints throughout Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, in an effort to hinder the roll-out of the group's plans.
It is the first time that a large number of organisations have allied to call for a mass stayaway in Zimbabwe.
According to Lovemore Madhuku, a member of the recently formed alliance, the group is prepared to provide leadership to the masses in Zimbabwe in their struggle against the ruling Zanu-PF party - which stands for Zimbabwean African National Unity Patriotic Front - led by President Robert Mugabe.
"Some activities are being planned during the course of the week. The people should look forward to the announcement of the activities. The regime has turned against its people to the extent that they are beating them up, destroying their homes and flea-market stalls.
"Instead of addressing pertinent issues like food, fuel and electricity shortages the government is arrogantly embarking on a process to introduce a senate without consulting the people," he told Zimbabwe's Standard newspaper.
Plans for the stayaway were also being announced on mobile phones via text messages as well as the internet. Over the past two weeks the government's campaign has led to more than 20,000 people being arrested for illegal foreign currency dealing, operating illegal flea markets and owning illegal shacks.