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Arrest of Citizens Coalition for Change Supporters Stoking Fears of Repression Ahead of Crucial Elections

CCC members going to court (Reuters)
CCC members going to court (Reuters)

Supporters of Zimbabwe's opposition party were seen with their fingers in the air - as they marched to court for a bail hearing.

The gesture is a sign of support for their party - Citizens Coalition for Change, or CCC.

Members of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) arrive at the Magistrates court after being arrested on charges of unlawful gatherings and inciting violence in Harare, Zimbabwe January 17,2023. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Members of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) arrive at the Magistrates court after being arrested on charges of unlawful gatherings and inciting violence in Harare, Zimbabwe January 17,2023. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

Twenty-five people – including two members of parliament - were arrested over the weekend for an unlawful gathering with intent to incite public violence.

The CCC says tear gas was fired on them by police.

A woman arrives with kids at the magistrate court where 25 opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change supporters appear for a bail hearing after they were arrested for unlawful gathering with intent to incite public violence in Harare, Zimbabwe. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
A woman arrives with kids at the magistrate court where 25 opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change supporters appear for a bail hearing after they were arrested for unlawful gathering with intent to incite public violence in Harare, Zimbabwe. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

Opposition supporters have increasingly faced a wave of politically motivated violence against them in rural Zimbabwe.

It comes ahead of the harmonized elections this year, stoking fears of repression.

Fadzayi Mahere is a spokeswoman for the CCC.

Amos Chibaya, a member of parliament and member of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) arrives at the Magistrates court after being arrested on charges of unlawful gatherings and inciting violence in Harare, Zimbabwe. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Amos Chibaya, a member of parliament and member of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) arrives at the Magistrates court after being arrested on charges of unlawful gatherings and inciting violence in Harare, Zimbabwe. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

“Almost every province, in fact, every province of the country, we are seeing these escalated incidences of violence. We’ve said, we want elections, we don’t want war. And this does not bode well for a free and fair election.”

Zimbabwean law requires political parties to notify authorities two weeks before holding a political meeting.

The CCC’s massive urban support is seen as a threat to the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front’s 43-year hold on power.

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