Arrests In Zimbabwe Allegedly Politically Motivated

By M. Brandon Maggiore
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) lead by faction leader Morgan Tsvangirai reports that police are arresting their candidates and supporters of their candidates based on allegedly false charges.

It is reported by MDC that their candidates and supporters who are peacefully assembled are being arrested in an effort to curb MDC’s campaign. MDC is mobilizing their campaign with the nations presidential election scheduled for 29 March 2008.

Party official and parliamentary candidate Tabitha Khumalo was arrested on Monday while she campaigned door to door in Bulawayo. She was released about midnight but details of her detention and release are not available at this time.

On Sunday an MDC candidate and twelve supporters were arrested while distributing posters. They will remain custody until 17 March 2008 on police allegations that they were in possession of illegal weapons and charges of inciting public violence.  MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said that those arrested on Sunday had no weapons and that there was no violence at any time.

President Mugabe of the Zanu-MF Party has been in power since 1980.  President Mugabe alleges the MDC is a tool or Western powers.

Tsvangirai hopes to unseat president Mugabe on 29 March. However, Chamisa said that there is no way the upcoming election will be fair.

allAfrica.com – Zimbabwe: Police Arresting MDC Election Candidates And Supporters – 4 March 2008

AfricaNews – Tsvangirai targets Harare suburbans – 4 March 2008

BBC News – Country profile: Zimbabwe – accessed 4 March 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive