Zimbabwe Trade Union Alleges Police Harassment, Beatings of Staff

Zimbabwean police detectives raided the offices of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Tuesday morning and beat up three staff members, the union said.

The detectives, about 10 in number, accused the union of encouraging workers to strike and rise up against the government. The union has called a two-day strike on April 3 and 4 to press for higher wages and better working conditions.

ZCTU National Organizer Michael Kandukutu, who said he was beaten by the police detectives, told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the union is pressing ahead with plans for the stay-away despite such harassment.

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