NCA demo thwarted, 41 held in NGO Bill protests

NCA demo thwarted, 41 held in NGO Bill protests

NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN police on Wednesday thwarted a demonstration by civil rights liberty group - the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) - and arrested at least 41 activists, NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku said.

He told Sapa news agency that the arrests occurred during a protest against the Zimbabwe NGO Bill, a new law that sought to ban foreign funding for human rights organisations.

"Some of our members were injured during a police charge and 41 have been arrested," said Madhuku.

"I have myself been told to report to Harare Central police station to answer questions about organising an illegal protest."

Under Zimbabwean law, it is illegal to hold public meetings or protests without informing the police.

Madhuku said he could not provide figures on the number of injured.

"It was too confusing. Some are missing and there are four being treated in hospital.

"Those who ran away were the lucky ones."

Earlier in the day the NCA delivered a petition to South Africa's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jeremiah Ndou.

NCA spokesperson Columbus Mavunga told Sapa: "We petitioned the ambassador asking for (South African) President Thabo Mbeki to take an active position on Zimbabwe."

He said Zimbabwean police ordered NCA members to disperse from the South African embassy.

Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena told Sapa he was "still checking" if anyone was apprehended and was unable to confirm the 41 arrests.
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