Sources in Zimbabwe's former opposition Movement for Democratic Change party said police in Manicaland province had arrested the Makoni South district chairman of the MDC formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for allegedly organizing a political rally without police clearance.
Party sources said police arrested Mudzingwa Bakare on Sunday for organizing a rally that was addressed by Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma, party deputy treasurer general, at Chitenderano Secondary School in Nyazura, Makoni South district, in eastern Manicaland province.
MDC sources said Bakare is being charged under the Public Order and Security Act, which requires police to be notified of political gatherings. The party said it was in the process of lining up legal counsel for Bakare.
Makoni South Election Director Shepherd Rambiyavo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that the party believes Bakare’s arrest was intended to intimidate party members as Bakare did not organize the rally in question.
