Union leaders arrested ahead of Zimbabwe protest

At least five other labour leaders were arrested in the country’s second city, Bulawayo, and the central industrial town of Gweru, Matombo said.

The group had asked workers to go to their jobs this morning, but to take to the streets in the main cities at around noon to protest at worsening economic hardships and state harassment of trade unions.

The planned demonstrations were also to warn Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa against raising taxes and prices when he announces next year’s budget on Thursday.

Protesters in Harare planned to converge on Parliament, where Murerwa is due to make his speech.

Police had warned that protests would not be tolerated and accused “rogue elements” of trying to disrupt the economy. Riot police were deployed at key streets and intersections in the capital.

Protest marches are banned unless organisers have obtained police clearance.

Matombo said his organisation would defy the police ban.

“This is a game of cat and mouse,” he said.

The federation is a close ally of Zimbabwe’s main opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The two groups have brought the already crippled economy to a virtual standstill during recent strikes against economic mismanagement, spiralling inflation and acute shortages of food, petrol, local cash and other goods.

Security forces have dispersed most street protests before they have gained momentum.

Zimbabwe is in the midst of economic and political crisis with official inflation at 526%, one of the highest levels in the world.

Opponents blame the authoritarian rule of President Robert Mugabe, which has been marked by the seizure of thousands of white-owned commercial farms for redistribution to impoverished blacks.

Many of the best farms have gone to ruling party leaders, while acute shortages of seeds and fertilisers have left most others idle.