MOST government schools in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare were deserted on Friday as a strike by civil servants entered its third day. Teachers are among thousands of civil servants around the country striking for a 20% cost of living adjustment. President Robert Mugabe on Thursday night described the strike as “completely unjustifiable”, adding “It is a strike with no valid basis, possibly by people who just want to idle.” The strikers say they had reached a deadlock in negotiations with the government over the 20% cost of living adjustment and a five% salary increase outstanding from January. However, Mugabe said the cabinet agreed on Tuesday to award the five% and resolved that the 20% was still open to negotiation.