Police in Zimbabwe arrest 40 opposition campaigners
By Usman ahmed
16 august 2023
Police authorities in Zimbabwe have arrested 40 members of an opposition coalition who were campaigning ahead of next week’s elections.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), leader Nelson Chamisa are the front-runners in the election.
The opposition campaigners were on Tuesday detained in the Glenview suburb of the capital, Harare.
According to Spokesman for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Fadzayi Mahere, the party’s Glenview South MP candidate, Gladmore Hakata was among those arrested.
According to police statement on social media, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), had engaged in activities not stated in its notification for a rally in the suburb.
The police accused the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), of holding a vehicle procession, obstructed traffic and chanted party slogans on the streets, prompting a police response after a resident reported the matter.
The opposition had in July called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to take action against the use of the police to disrupt its rallies.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said the police had banned several of its meetings since 9 July, and about 100 gatherings since the party formation in January last year.
