4 MDC MPs arrested, 1 charged wth rape

4 MDC MPs arrested, 1 charged wth rape

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Last updated: 27/08/2008 00:59:31
FOUR MPs of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were arrested on Tuesday in Harare, bringing the total number currently in custody to five, police said.

Earlier, the MDC said in a statement released in Johannesburg that three of its MPs had been arrested at the Parliament on Tuesday, where President Robert Mugabe was jeered by the opposition during his traditional speech opening the legislature after March 29 elections.

"Besides (MDC member of Parliament for Epworth) Eliah Jembere arrested yesterday (Monday) on a warrant of arrest, the latest arrests are of Pearson Mungofa (Highfield East), Bednoc Nyaude (Bindura South), Matthew Mlambo (Chipinge East) and Trevor Saruwaka (Mutasa Central)," police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena said in the statement.

Bvudzijena said Mungofa was arrested for allegedly causing disaffection among the security forces, Nyaude for attempted murder, Mlambo for inciting public violence and Saruwaka for raping a 17-year-old relative on Sunday.

The arrests "on trumped-up charges of political violence is meant to frustrate the people's project following MDC's victory in parliament in the 29 March harmonised elections," the MDC statement said.

"MDC views this continued harassment and arrests of MDC legislators by the state security agents as a direct affront to the will of the people of Zimbabwe," it added. - AFP
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