Several arrested in police crackdown on MDC in Harare

By Tichaona Sibanda
17 February 2007

The MDC MP for Glen View Paul Madzore was one of several arrested in Harare on Saturday in a police crackdown on opposition activists ahead of Sunday’s star rally scheduled to be addressed by party President Morgan Tsvangira.

Tension is high in the capital ahead of Sunday’s planned launch of a campaign by the MDC leader for the presidential elections due in 2008.

Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said police details accompanied by soldiers in uniform were swooping on all known MDC leaders in the capital’s suburbs. ‘Apart from the honourable MP, police arrested several of our activists from the high-density suburbs. Perhaps this is meant to scare people from attending Sunday’s rally,’ Chamisa said.

Police have denied the MDC permission to hold the rally in Highfield, saying they cannot ensure crowd control. But party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the rally would ahead as scheduled despite resistance from the police. He said ‘They’re not invited because they always spoil our parties. We are going to court on Saturday to obtain an order to bar the police from attending the rally.’

Chamisa also disclosed that all their polling agents have been banned from the over 90 polling stations in the Chiredzi South by-election that started on Sunday. He said information they have been getting from the constituency is that soldiers have been manning the queues and helping the elderly through the voting process. 50 000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in the constituency. The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Aaron Baloyi (Zanu-PF) in September last year.

Zanu-PF’s Callisto Gwanetsa, Immaculate Makondo (MDC Tsvangirai faction), United People’s Party’s Miyetani Chauke and Nehemiah Zanamwe (MDC Mutambara faction) are the candidates for the by-election. Results of the election are expected Sunday at Chikombedzi Hall.