Armed Chinese soliders police Mutare streets

HARARE  - A general strike called by the MDC to pressure the Zimbabweans government and the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) to release presidential results appeared to have faltered in all major cities despite the despair within the majority over the lack of results, almost three weeks on.

People were seen going about their usual business, maybe due to fear the weight of the state security officers deployed ahead of the strike could descend on them or because the economic crisis does not allow people to drop earnings at all.

Soldiers and police fanned out across Zimbabwe early in the day with army trucks, some equipped with water cannon, moving through opposition strongholds around the cities. The riot police and other officers even set up checkpoints.

zimbabwejournalists' correspondent, David Baxter, reports from Mutare that it is calm in the city as the MDC stayaway failed to attract many people.

"Residents are going about their normal business despite a call by the opposition to stay at  home. Businesses were operating as usual but there was a heavy police presence in the city centre and in all the high density suburbs," he said.

The police are armed with AK rifles, teargas canisters and baton sticks. Water cannons were being driven throughout the suburbs. There were no incidents of violence as of mid-morning. However, says Baxter, there was a surprise presence of Chinese soldiers armed with revolvers in the city.

The Chinese, together with about 70 Zimbabwean senior army officers are staying at the Holiday Inn, in the city's central business district.

There are about 10 Chinese soldiers. "We were shocked to see Chinese soldiers in their full military regalia and armed with pistols checking at the hotel," said one worker.

"When they signed checking-in forms they did not indicate the nature of the business that they are doing and even their addresses."

No official comment could be obtained from the authorities here on this issue.