4 arrested after police block NCA demo in Harare

By Tererai Karimakwenda
June 14, 2007

A group of plain-clothes and uniformed police officers blocked a planned demonstration by members of the National Constitutional Assembly in Harare on Thursday. Our sources say about 100 NCA activists had gathered at Chinhoyi and Albion streets, but before they began marching, police attacked causing them to run off in different directions to safety.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the police seemed prepared with bicycle and foot patrol units already at the location. He described how some activists jumped onto open trucks and minibuses attempting to escape from the violent police. It is not clear how many were arrested but at least 4 NCA activists are in custody. Minor injuries were also reported by those who fled the scene.

Muchemwa said there were so many plain clothes and uniformed police officers that they outnumbered the NCA demonstrators. In the chaos that followed, many activists and innocent bystanders were injured.