Madhuku arrested in dawn raid

Madhuku arrested in dawn raid

MADHUKU: Arrested early Wednesday morning

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By Agencies

ZIMBABWE police have arrested the leader of civic rights group Nation Constitutional Assembly (NCA), his lawyer has said.

Lovemore Madhuku, NCA chairman, last week organised a march to protest against a proposed law that would bar foreign human rights groups and block foreign funding for local bodies.

Madhuku's lawyer Alec Muchadehama said the NCA leader had been arrested in the early hours of Wednesday.

"They (police) have not advised him of the charges ... but he suspects it is to do with the demonstration last week," Muchadehama told Reuters.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said he was not aware of the arrest.

President Robert Mugabe's government accuses some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of working with Western nations to undermine his rule.

Mugabe has said the proposed law would help rationalise the NGO sector which he says has been used as a conduit for foreign interference in Zimbabwe's internal affairs.

Rights groups have slammed the law, which was published in August, as part of a package of laws proposed by the 80-year-old veteran leader. They say the laws are intended to undercut opposition ahead of next year's parliamentary elections and muzzle government critics - Reuters
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