HARARE - Heavily armed police officers were deployed in Harare’s central business district yesterday amid fears that striking civil servants might stage demonstrations.

Civil servants rejected a paltry seven percent salary increment offered by government, which would have seen each employee getting an increment of $84.

The least paid civil servant is earning $253 and they are agitating for the least paid to be remunerated in accordance with the country’s Poverty Datum Line (PDL) which currently sits at $546.

The much-feared Support Unit (black boots) and anti-riot police were seen patrolling the city centre in their trucks, with some milling around Samora Machel Avenue yesterday morning seemingly in anticipation of any disturbances.

One riot police officer pointed towards a crowd going about its business which included some Daily News reporters and charged, “Ko apa, parikuitwa nezveyi apa? (What’s going on here?)” he asked, pointing his baton stick at a group of terrified shoppers queuing outside a bank along Samora Machel Avenue.

Harare police spokesperson James Sabau told the Daily News that there was nothing unusual about the deployment.

“Police presence should be welcome anyway. People should get used to seeing them in town,” he said.

Clad in black gear, bullet proof vests, teargas canisters, guns and baton sticks; police were on high alert, ready to pounce.

Civil servants have been on a five-day industrial action which started on Monday this week. The strike ended briefly on Wednesday to pave way for dialogue.

But talks collapsed after government tabled a paltry offer, with union leaders announcing a continuation yesterday until the authorities substantially raise their salaries. Civil servants umbrella body Apex council president Tendai Chikowore said although they were disappointed by the small offer from government, they had not planned to stage any demonstrations.

“We did not plan to have demonstrations. We are still implementing our five-day strike plan ending tomorrow (today); teachers are staying at home until then,” Chikowore said.