Three Zanu-PF youth activists arrested for Harare violence

ZRP said Monday three people had been arrested in the wake of mobs of backers of the Zanu-PF party had rampaged through Harare, attacking foreign businesses.

In the latest violence attributed to activists of President Robert Mugabe's party, a police official said an investigation was still going on in the rampage.

'We are still trying to see how much damage has been done. But we estimate the group was made up of about 700 people. We have arrested three so far,' the official said.

The group had marched from Zanu-PF offices in the northern part of Harare's central business district, chanting slogans praising Mugabe.

The marchers were carrying banners aimed against foreigners, including 'No to foreigners controlling our economy' and 'Foreigners, sanctions have destroyed our economy so we want to control our wealth.'

Most of the demonstrators were in their 20s and 30s, wearing Zanu T-shirts. Business came to a standstill and the marchers stopped a number of cars along the way and demanded that passersby join them.

When the marchers got to the Gulf Complex largely run by foreigners, the marchers began looting and beating up those who resisted.

One victim was a Nigerian businessman who sells laptops and electronic equipment.

'They said I must leave their country yet I have been here for more than eight years,' said the man, sobbing and declining to give his identity. 'I was even importing stuff from South Africa when their economy was on its knees.'

The attacks on the foreigners has stirred fears of an escalation of violence as Zimbabwe gears up for elections later this year.

Mugabe is pushing for elections while his coalition partner and political rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is against any new elections before a new constitution is written.