Zimbabwe strike: Your reaction

Are you taking part in the strike in Zimbabwe? Are strikes the right option?

A largely ignored two-day general strike, in protest at a government crackdown on informal traders and shantytowns, is under way across Zimbabwe.

Church groups and opposition parties have heavily criticised the sweep and called the strike, which coincides with the state opening of parliament.

Do you live in Zimbabwe? What are your thoughts on the current situation in the country? What do you think is the future for the country? Send us your experiences and comments.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Glenn, Luxembourg: What should the world's leaders do to end the violent repression in Zimbabwe? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

It is absolutely disgraceful what is happening to a country that is loved by so many. Zimbabwe needs to be saved by the likes of the USA and the UK, but what are we doing ourselves? We need to stand up for ourselves, take action and be accounted for.
Stephen, Harare

Some of the last big companies in Harare are on their last legs, and may well soon shut down soon. I guess Mugabe wants us all to go and grow maize? I have a degree in business and I don't want to grow maize for my Chinese leaders. I want a choice, just like we were promised at independence.
Kwete, Harare

Zimbabwe does not need more support from other countries; neither does Africa until there has been a change in the governments of these nations. Why doesn't the UN do something? Or should it be left up to the US again.
Robert, Windsor, Canada

I noticed quite a few people who want the UN to take multilateral action, instead of US or European unilateral action. Is that the same UN which has Zimbabwe as a member of the UN Human Rights Commission?
Antonio, Chicago, IL, USA

Strikes are all the people of Zimbabwe have left A, Santa Rosa, CA, USA

Strikes are all the people of Zimbabwe have left. Mugabe will become the next dictator that the UN will have to deal with, and should have been stopped many years ago. Now the people find themselves without shelter and a home, surely this is a human right.
A, Santa Rosa, CA, USA

I'm really sad about what is happening Africa today. How do you destroy the houses people have toiled the whole of their lives for and expect countries to cancel your debts? We deserve to be in poverty if we do not think about each other.
Kwame, Ghana

We woke up to a serene and marginally clean Harare on the second day of the proposed stay away. The call for a stay away has largely been ignored and rightfully so. It is time for constructive dialogue across the local and International political divide that will move my country forward.
Nkalanga Ndlovu, Harare, Zimbabwe

The irony in all of this is simply incredible. Bob Geldof, Bono, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are noble men all. They are sincerely trying to help Africans to help themselves and become free from debt and dependence on others etc. while the chief protagonist in the whole sorry affair of African politics, finds yet another excuse to punish and deprive his own people while Mbeki and other "African rights" stalwarts look on yet again in silence. Send a multi-national military force to depose Mugabe and restore some semblance of order and sanity!
David, Alnwick, UK/Dubai

We are crying out to the whole world, please remember Zimbabwe Zimbabwean Warrior, Missouri

We are crying out to the whole world, please remember Zimbabwe. We need your help. Things used to be bad, but now they are worse. For how long will the world watch and do nothing. My brother in Zimbabwe tells me that families are sleeping out in the open. What is their sin? Is it because they were born in Zimbabwe? Mbeki has let the people of Zimbabwe down. SADC countries have let us down. The African Union is letting us down. USA and UK, you are also letting us down. Help - Zimbabwe is crying out. I feel for the children that are suffering as a result of this. I just wish I had the millions of dollars to help these people.
Zimbabwean Warrior, Missouri, USA

How is Mugabe still in power? And how does he have any support in his country when he and his wife continue to live a life of ridiculous luxury, yet half the population of his so called 'beloved country' are starving? It's through corruption, violence and intimidation and yet the rest of the world would prefer to look away than get their hands dirty dealing with it. I'm disgusted and ashamed.
Christina, London

To those Zimbabweans at home that say that everything is fine take the stones out of your eyes and don't turn a blind eye. We all know that urban areas are a stronghold for the opposition and these are just the last kicks of a dying horse. Zimbabweans are a peaceful, loving nation and they have hearts of gold, which is worth more than oil. And I see no reason why the UK and the US should not intervene, after all one life saved is worth more than one barrel of oil spilled. Two wide open hands for the MDC. God bless Zimbabwe!
Nicky (Upset Zimbabwean), UK

What stay-away? I work for my family not you or the government. What do I get when I strike for two days and come Monday it's back to work knowing two day's salary will be deducted from by pay, but Tsvangirai or Madhuku's salaries will be intact and topped by "bravery" awards. Let those who want to stay-away, stay-away, I will work as usual.
Mabhunu Tatonga, Harare, Zimbabwe

I think it's a disgrace that Bush and Blair can go on about their war of terror and that going to war can be justified not by WMD but by removing Saddam Hussain because of the terrorising of ordinary Iraqis. Yet here is a country where people are terrorised everyday and where democracy doesn't exist and Bush and Blair sit up and do nothing. How many British or American soldiers would it take to sort Zimbabwe and get free elections - very few. Maybe it's something to do with it not being a major oil country. Eh George?
Gary, Leeds, England

Send the government ministers' sons and daughters back to Zimbabwe from where they are studying and living in the States and UK. Let them live in the chaos that their parents have created.
Pamela

We have now, at long last, got rid of Saddam Hussein, Bob places himself next in line.
Georg Ellefsen, Hosle, Norway

Six years ago the Zim dollar traded seven for one US, and Harare was a clean, peaceful city, begging was at a minimum, artwork was sold in the streets by independent sculptors, and Zimbabwe was being called the 'Switzerland of Africa. Now look at it. And I read that Mugabe is hailed as a hero by other African government leaders for 'cleaning the whites out of Africa'. Brilliant!
Rick Marshall, Pasadena, US

The leaders of the world should ask Mugabe to relinquish power immediately because his arrogance is too punitive to human beings. Each day he is in power many people are suffering. The world will not help Zimbabwean people when Robert Mugabe is still there. Why are these leaders not taking the Zimbabwean issue seriously? Please if it means delegate responsibility to UN to take over governance of Zimbabwe, please do that without delay.
Richard, Guildford, Surrey

Zimbabweans have to be masters of their own destiny. If we cannot overcome the fear of reprisal and continue to let ourselves be cowed and beaten into submission, then we deserve everything we get.
Smart, Harare, Zimbabwe

If people get the leaders they deserve then Mugabe is a fitting tribute to the cowardice and self-serving intellectualisation of the middle class in Zimbabwe today B Mhlanga, Harare

If people get the leaders they deserve then Mugabe is a fitting tribute to the cowardice and self-serving intellectualisation of the middle class in Zimbabwe today. This class has totally failed to provide leadership and has betrayed the sacrifices of the rural people in educating their children in the 60s and 70s. If "everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die", then too all Zimbabweans want their freedom but very few want to get up or stand up for their rights. Far easier to look after our own families and bury our heads in the sand or else head for distant lands. The near future promises more of the same with Mugabe dangling the carrot of his "retirement" to confound his opponents, and the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe continuing to pool the wool over the eyes of the urban population while intimidating more and more sections of the private sector.
B Mhlanga, Harare, Zimbabwe

What is the UN's problem?! How can they allow the constant human rights abuse to continue in Zimbabwe and watch a leader slowly starve his country to death? It's pathetic. Someone has got their hand in someone else's pockets. Everyone is quick to respond when human rights abuses are racially motivated, but when its a black leader doing it to his black country men it seems to be OK.
Ross Behenn, London

Something has to be done! I cannot believe that our government has done nothing about the poor and starving people of Zimbabwe. So many reports of the truth and still no action. How can the people win without our help? I believe that the UK must stand up and take the lead. It's no longer about politics but basic human rights. How can we stand by and watch?
Dave Seward, UK

How much longer can neighbouring African countries, in particular, South Africa continue to condone this horror through their silence and blatant support for a ruthless and corrupt government?
Briony Cobban, London, UK

If invading Iraq was a human rights issue, as some supporters of the invasion are now claiming, why haven't those same forces invaded Zimbabwe for the same reason? Could it be because there's no oil in Zimbabwe, or am I just being cynical?
Peter, London, UK

The biggest problem Zimbabwe has today is poor leadership coming from Mugabe and opposition. The behaviour of Mugabe has shown that he is prepared to serve another master (China) rather than Zimbabweans. The difference between China and white Zimbabweans is that the whites had Zimbabwe at heart and contributed to its development. Now Zimbabwe has become another example of the norms of African governments. Unless Africa gets rid of poor leadership such as that of Thabo Mbeki, Mkapa, Museveni etc. we are going to be a laughing stock in the 21st century.
Duran Rapozo, Manchester, UK

The employee is caught in a tight spot Zobha, Harare

The business is so strained by the current economic problems that the employers can no longer afford to miss a day due to the stay away. The employee is caught in a tight spot - whether to take part in the industrial action and risk losing their jobs or go to work and betray the general populace who protest against the repressive regime. It makes more sense to go to work because you never know what may happen to your job if you don't. I think everyone is waiting for some spontaneous protest and we do hope it will happen some day.
Zobha, Harare, Zimbabwe

We the people of Zimbabwe must stand up for ourselves! With very few options available, a stay-away is the right way to get things started. We cannot blame anyone but ourselves if we don't make the effort to bring about change. Every single one of us must begin to defy tyranny even if it is in the smallest way. No-one is coming to help us!
James, Ruwa, Zimbabwe

I feel the United Nations should be granted the power to act in a really positive way to bring dictators to heel. Words and oral warnings do nothing to rid an oppressed people of a despot dictator. Any action taken would have to be ordered and directed by the United Nations and not the president of the United States of America and any of his cohorts
Edward Seyforth, Halifax, Canada

I am ashamed to be part of this docile lot Ali Ali, Harare

We Zimbabweans deserve what the regime is doing to us. We want change but cannot raise a finger to join the stay-aways or any other form of protest. I am ashamed to be part of this docile lot. Let us keep on toiling and suffering until Robert passes away, because that is what everyone is waiting for. Shame!
Ali Ali, Harare, Zimbabwe

Mass protest is the only solution left for the suffering citizens of Zimbabwe. They must remove the dictator and make the country free again. Mugabe has a home but after the recent atrocities against the informal traders and shanty towns there are thousands who have been made homeless. Mugabe must go and must be brought to court and made to answer. Democracy has gone, long time ago, in Zimbabwe but what is happening now is a step too far.
Pravin Mistry, Coventry, UK

Strikes are not the answer. The opposition should not use people to further their selfish agendas. What the government is doing is as right as it can be. These strikes will not save anything but to put Tsvangirai on the spotlight. This MDC thing has brought suffering among us, only because they want to rule our beautiful Zimbabwe. Tsvangi please leave us alone.
Zvimbo, Harare, Zimbabwe

There are no strikes here! I am really surprised by these misleading reports. Such clear lies and misleading information will not help the MDC. The UK certainly has a hostile position on Zimbabwe and it is very clear to everyone in Zimbabwe.
Farirai Mutema, Gweru, Zimbabwe

When living in Kenya thirty years ago, we were told that, although Kenya was gorgeous, Uganda was even better and Zimbabwe was the most beautiful African country of all. Unfortunately I never had a chance to see for myself - and one man's delusions have now wrecked this once lovely country. I consider their future very grim.
Diane Laasner, Seuzach, Switzerland

I am on stay away but I think mass protests in the streets are the best idea in order to remove Mugabe's regime. The MDC leader should lead the people.
Moses, Harare, Zimbabwe

The UK and USA are quiet, don't they see this tsunami? People are deprived of their rights. Shelters and means of fundraising have been demolished. Zimbabweans need to stand up and speak up, not only anticipating a change from one man Dr Tsvangirai. These strikes bring a change only after a long run.
Cool, Harare, Zimbabwe

It is time that the world stood up and did something to stop Mugabe from destroying what's left of Zimbabwe Christopher, Manchester, England

I think it is time that the world stood up and did something to stop Mugabe from destroying what's left of Zimbabwe. This country up until recently was a thriving African nation. Now it is at the point of anarchy and mass starvation. The world is talking about helping Africa, the perfect way to show it would be helping to free Zimbabwe from this nightmare.
Christopher Thompson, Manchester, England

What other option do the poor suffering Zimbabweans have? The rest of the world appears to have turned their backs on the tragedy of Zimbabwe, concentrating more on the Iraq issue among other issues. What are the UN and Commonwealth doing?
Phyllis Wheeler, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, UK

Mugabe's inappropriate economic policies forced desperate citizens to the slums and streets. Forceful evictions are not a sustainable solution. He must accept the blame and reconcile with the opposition for a better future.
Edward Ssemakula, Kampala, Uganda

Peaceful disobedience has to be the way for the population to show that despite the intense intimidation and persecution the spirit is strong. God be with these brave people - they deserve better.
Matt, Chelmsford

The situation in Zimbabwe - with the deafening silence from its neighbours - comes at an ironic time, with Sir Bob and Co gearing up for Live 8. I believe the Government should not give a brass farthing of debt relief until the African countries show real delivery of the fine words in the Nepad agreement.
David, London N1

Mugabe must step down whether by his own choice or through international pressure being placed upon the country. Zimbabwe is already a country in ruin with many people already dying of Aids and possibly starvation. Just like the world answered the call for democracy and freedom in South Africa it should also do the same for Zimbabwe or isn't Zimbabwe rich enough in minerals etc?
Susan Cutler, Alberton, South Africa

It's high time someone knocked some sense into the leaders of Zimbabwe, both ruling and opposition Nash, Harare, Zimbabwe

Strikes only make things worse than what they are already. If we remember well, the then Mayor of Harare Eng Mudzuri and his council wanted the proposed demolition of these illegal structures but was denied by the Minister of Local Government. Is it a matter now of who is doing it or trying to get a cheap political mileage?

People get beaten up during these strikes while the champions of the events are drinking tea in their luxurious homes. Why influence people to commit such suicide? It's high time someone knocked some sense into the leaders of Zimbabwe, both ruling and opposition, and start working together as a nation. Constructive dialogue is required, no hatred but love for a change. We pray for our beloved country everyday that peace and not confrontations prevail. I know God has not forgotten us and it's not far before we get back to the sunshine country again.
Nash, Harare, Zimbabwe

I am in Harare right now. We are all at work in a new look like Sunshine City. The demolitions have of course been long over due. If you have any journalists in our city right now call them to confirm. I am not a politician but I love my country. I say no to propaganda.
Shephard Matongo, Harare, Zimbabwe

Where are the masses who protested the invasion of Iraq now. All those crying out against the invasion in the name of democracy and human rights. I don't see too many of them outside any of the Zimbabwean Embassy's around the world. There are not too many of them outside the Sudanese Embassy's either. Or is it acceptable when regimes kill and abuse their own people (as long as America is not involved that is). It's sickening.
Ackerman, Copenhagen, Denmark

I know the strike will crumble the already dithering economy. But going forward is now as bad as going backwards.
Sebastian Nyamhangambiri, Harare

I am neither a Zimbabwean nor do I know anyone on strike in Zimbabwe but I have a lot of friends in Zimbabwe. I am therefore concerned with what is happening. I strongly condemn the evictions as they are abusing rights of innocent and helpless people. I however, think strikes will not be a right option as this will lead to even more victims. With what the Zimbabwean government has done already, nothing will stop them from using an 'iron fist' on the strikers. In my opinion, this combined with the land saga, spell a bleak future for Zimbabwe. I sympathise with Zimbabweans.
Thabbie Chilongo, Lilongwe, Malawi