Zimbabwe Civil Society Group Alleges State Campaign Of Harassment

The National Constitutional Assembly said more of its members in Manicaland were picked up by police in the eastern border city of Mutare on Friday in what the group calls an ongoing blitz against activists in the province adjacent to Mozambique.

Of the 11 arrested members, three, including Acting Provincial Youth Chairman Manex Mauya, remained in police custody late Friday.

The civic activists are accused of leading protests in Mutare last week and distributing shortwave radios in the province.

However, police on Friday released NCA Provincial Chairman Elisha Makuyana, who was arrested Monday, on Z$200,000 bail. Makuyana was arrested for criticizing President Mugabe and the state's ongoing blitz against high prices.

Police have been tough on NCA members in Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces over the past two weeks, arresting more than 20 people.

Makuyana told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that police are trying to halt the NCA's grass-roots organizing effort.

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