Africa News

Nineteen activists arrested in Zimbabwe

Aug 7, 2007, 19:47 GMT

Harare/Johannesburg - Police in Zimbabwe Tuesday picked up 19 members of a prominent rights group as they were playing a game of netball in the southern city of Masvingo, the group claimed in a statement.

The members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were picked up by police detectives in the afternoon. Those arrested, including some men, are being held without charge at the Masvingo Central Police Station, the WOZA statement said.

Police have not confirmed the arrests. A peaceful demonstration against high prices by around 300 WOZA members in the eastern city of Mutare on Monday took place without any arrests.

WOZA frequently hold demonstrations throughout the country to protest worsening conditions. There are shortages of most basics, including cooking oil, bread and meat, while inflation is currently the highest in the world at well over 4,500 per cent.