Zimbabwean police in Matabeleland North Province on Thursday arrested about 30 members of the MDC formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, accusing them of holding an illegal meeting in Nkayi district.
The activists, including 17 councilors appeared in court Friday and were remanded in custody to Monday. The MDC described the arrests as unaccaptable, adding; “Zimbabweans are still living in bondage.”
Party deputy spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo said the arrests were designed to weaken her formation ahead of general elections that President Robert Mugabe insists should be held next year.
"This is clearly a desperate move by ZANU-PF to intimidate our supporters. They are trying to prevent us from meeting and organizing ourselves for the next election," Khumalo told VOA.
The MDC has over the years accused the police of working with ZANU-PF to intimidate and harass its members.
Several of it's meetings have also been blocked by officers including high-profile rallies by Mr. Tsvangirai.