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Zimbabwean Police Release Some Opposition Members Arrested In Strike


Lawyers representing members of the Zimbabwean opposition arrested Tuesday in the midst of a general strike called to pressure the Harare government to release election results said some 27 of the detained were freed late Thursday.

They said the activists were freed after signing statements admitting guilt to offenses such as blocking traffic, and paying fines of Z$40,000 - less than one U.S. cent. The country's currency has vastly depreciated amid hyperinflation of 165,000%.

Members of the Movement for Democratic Change formation headed by Morgan Tsvangirai freed Thursday included Shepherd Madamombe, recently elected house member for the Harare constituency of Mabvuku-Tafara, accused of inciting violence.

But more than 100 others, including MDC staffers Kudakwashe Matibiri and Luke Tamborinyoka, and freelance journalist Frank Chikowore, were still detained in connection with the burning of a bus Tuesday in Warren Park, Harare.

MDC lawyer Charles Kwaramba told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that about 120 people have been held by police since Tuesday.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...

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