Police Arrest Pressure Group Members At Prayer Meeting

By A Correspondent |Twenty-two members of the National Democratic Working Group were detained in Emakhandeni, Bulawayo, on Saturday afternoon during a church gathering and have since been freed.

The group, 17 women and 5 men, was reportedly praying for a sick colleague when officers moved in. One of those held had just given birth prematurely.

The NDWG is aligned to former MDC and CCC MP Job Sikhala.

Those arrested were first taken to Emakhandeni Police Station and later moved to the CID Law and Order unit at Bulawayo Central. They were kept in custody without any charge being formally laid.

According to their lawyer, Prisca Dube of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the group has now been released as police continue to prepare possible charges.

Dube said officers claimed the members were “planning a demonstration”, but argued that holding discussions about a protest is not in itself a criminal act.

She added that some of the detainees had travelled long distances for the meeting, coming from Chimanimani, Harare, Masvingo and Filabusi.

“There was a premature baby, two months old, so they released them. Those that had come from Chimanimani, Harare, Masvingo and Filabusi are travelling back right now,” Dube said.

She further noted that police told the legal team they would be notified once a charge is finalized, and the members will be expected to report back from their homes if called in.