64 MDC supporters held in Lupane

64 MDC supporters held in Lupane

THE Lupane by-election was called after MDC MP David Mpala (above) died following a dastardly attack by ruling party loyalists

• MDC MPs brutalised

By Agencies

AT LEAST 64 opposition supporters have been arrested this week in Zimbabwe's western region of Lupane ahead of legislative by-elections at the weekend, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said.

A senior party official and lawmaker from a neighbouring constituency, Abdenigo Bhebhe, said 20 were arrested early Tuesday after they clashed with ruling ZANU-PF party supporters while they were putting up campaign posters at a shopping centre.

"Our members were putting up posters when ZANU-PF youths approached them and attacked them with stones and sjamboks (whips)," Bhebhe said.

Forty-four others were arrested overnight en route to a campaign rally that was to be addressed by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday morning, Bhebhe said.

"Police impounded their car and arrested all the 44, only to wake up this morning and release 40," he said.

Forty were released Wednesday without charge, while four are still being held by police.

Police spokesmen in the capital were unable to confirm the arrests.

Lupane, about 600 kilometres (360 miles) west of the capital, is due to hold by-elections Saturday and Sunday.

The seat was left vacant following the death of an MDC lawmaker David Mpala in February from what the party said were torture wounds.

MDC said Mpala's health "deteriorated ... after being tortured and stabbed by ZANU-PF supporters" in 2002 - AFP
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