MDC officials arrested in Hwange

MDC's National Deputy Director for Elections, Abednico Moyo and Matabeleland North Organising Secretary, Christopher Sithole were arrested in Hwange Sunday for allegedly holding an unsanctioned meeting.

The pair is set to appear in court in Victoria Falls tomorrow [Teusday].

In what MDC has described as "targeted harassment spree", Lupane police on Sunday raided the home of Matabeleland North Provincial Treasurer and Councilor for Lupaka ward in Lupane, Andrew Tshaba who was in Lupane West for recruitment exercises at the time and allegedly stole party and personal documents.

The same police officers also allegedly launched a manhunt for Tshaba, blocking the road to his homestead and harassing his family.

According to MDC Spokesperson, Nhlanhla Dube "it is still unclear what crime he [Tshaba] is said to have committed."

Aspiring MDC Councilor for Nyamandlovu Ward 13, Lameck Phiri also had his house raided and documents confiscated on the same day.

"Scores of our members have fallen victim to these arbitrary arrests and intimidation tactics since the year began and the MDC is convinced that these actions are orchestrated to frustrate the determination of the people in the struggle for real change in this country," said Dube.

The MDC has taken these cases up with the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Dube also said MDC "condemn in strongest terms this violation of the basic rights and freedoms of our members, in particular by the Mat North police who seem to have an addiction to harassing MDC members whose only fault is to co- exist peacefully with the rest of society."

"These scare tactics by Zanu-PF and its agents are only working to make us stronger in our cause to become the strongest and biggest political party in the country as we remain committed to our endeavor for a democratic, free and just Zimbabwe," he said.