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Bulawayo - largest street demonstration since the major ZCTU demonstrations in 1998
Eddie Cross
November 18, 2003

Bulawayo - The Trade Unions made it known that they were going to strike and demonstrate today and in preparation made it known that they would start at about 09.00 hrs. In fact this morning at 08.00 hrs phone calls went out to all factories informing workers that they were to work until 12.00 hrs and then strike and march into town. Apparently the objective was to ensure the Police were in the sun all morning with nothing to do. In fact the Police deployed yesterday and this morning a large contingent from the Youth Brigade arrived at the Train Station - we assume for the purpose of backing up the riot police.

At 12.00 most factories and motor workshops closed - in our area it looked as if about two thirds of workers then decided to go to town for the demonstration while the remainder went home. Road blocks of armed Police closed off the entire area of the government offices and when workers started to arrive in numbers they were greeted with baton charges and tear gas. The workers did not persist for long and then went home. They will be back at work tomorrow but are threatening further action next week of a similar nature. This was the largest street demonstration we have seen in the city since the major ZCTU demonstrations in 1998.

No reports from the rest of the country yet.

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