In Zimbabwe there's been a positive, but far from total, response to the call from trades union leaders for a two-day national strike. The strikers have also heeded advice from the trades unions to remain in their homes, as Ian Mills reports from Harare.

Mugabe: blunt warning

The unions have called the strike in protest over the government's refusal to abolish tax increases and levies. President Mugabe declared the strike illegal and warned that if the stoppage was not peaceful, those involved, in his words, would get it.

The first sign that the strike call was being heeded came when the normal, early morning rush hour failed to materialise.

Buses from Harare's outlying black residential areas were only partly filled, and there were no queues for public transport.

Airforce helicopters carrying senior police officers made several sorties over the capital early in the day, but were apparently withdrawn when it was discovered that the usual trouble spots, particularly the black townships on the edge of the city, were quiet and the streets virtually deserted.

Food riots in January

Riots over food prices in Harare earlier this year left nine people dead.

The government had promised a strong police and army presence, but reporters touring the townships early in the day saw no troops and few police, who appear to have orders to maintain a low profile.

Most of the shops in the city centre were closed, but in the northern suburbs it was business as usual. The situation in other towns and cities around the country appears to be the same.

Many of those who did turn up for work later returned home, when they discovered they were in the minority.

This has raised speculation on whether there will be an even bigger stay-away on the second day on Wednesday, particularly if the strikers maintain their discipline in not staging violent demonstrations.

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