Zimbabwean police arrested nine members of activist group Women of Zimbabwe Arise Monday evening in the nation's second largest city of Bulawayo, in what the group believes is a clampdown on its active campaign for the immediate release of the draft constitution.
WOZA members recently embarked on a new campaign targeting unity government leaders, calling on them to get serious about producing a new constitution for the country.
The arrested include Vigilant Lunga, Violet Dube, Theresa Phiri, Catherine Dhliwayo, Eunice Moyo, Mpikelelo Moyo, and Sibongile Lumbile, who were initially detained at West Commonage Police Station and were denied food until late Tuesday afternoon.
Others are Miriam Ngcebetsha and Ottilia Dube, whose whereabouts were unknown until Tuesday evening.
WOZA co-founder Magodonga Mahlangu told VOA the nine, who were arrested separately, are currently held at the Bulawayo Central Police Station.
The group says police are also questioning the rest of their members in their homes about their activities.
