Zimbabwe police question rights leader

Jan 29, 2007, 13:10 GMT

Harare - Police in Zimbabwe Monday questioned a leading rights activist for two hours over allegations he failed to seek police clearance before leading demonstrations, the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) said.

NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku had been told to report to a police station in the capital Harare early on Monday morning, said spokesperson Madock Chivasa in a statement.

Madhuku, a trained lawyer, was questioned by six police officers who indicated their worry over the NCA's stance of not seeking clearance from the police before demonstrating, Chivasa said.

The NCA, an umbrella grouping representing churches, rights and student groups in crisis-hit Zimbabwe, regularly organizes demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe's government.

The latest protest was last Wednesday, when NCA members tried to demonstrate in Harare against plans by some in the ruling party to extend Mugabe's term by two years to 2010.

One protester was tortured at the hands of the police during the protest and is still recovering in hospital, the NCA alleges.

The NCA spokesperson reiterated his group's refusal to seek police clearance for marches, as required under Zimbabwe's tough Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

'We don't recognize laws that undermine our basic freedoms of association and expression,' said Chivasa.

'For as long as the police behave like government puppets they will not get the respect that they are crying out for from the NCA,' he added, promising more demonstrations to come.

Madhuku was released after two hours of questioning.