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Wave of arrests
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
August 20, 2007

Betty Makoni and two American women arrested

Yesterday, 21 August 2007, fifteen plain clothes state operatives in five vehicles descended on the home of girl child and human rights activist Betty Makoni, arrested her and two American women and detained at the Harare central police station for nine hours.

The two American women were filming a documentary on Girl Child Network's works, Makoni heads. The 15 state operatives accused Makoni of smuggling in foreigners covering the country's crisis without state accreditation.

The police confiscated the equipment and video cameras before releasing the trio. They have since been summoned to return to Harare Central Police station at 0800 hours this morning.

Business leaders tortured in police custody

Two business leaders were tortured whilst in police custody, before being released yesterday. The two are Ms Majangi popularly known by patrons as Mai Fafi and her manager only identified as Marange.

Ms Majangi was tortured at Braeside Police Station whilst her manager Marange was held at Matapi Police Station where he was also tortured. The two were arrested on Sunday, 19 August 2007 on charges of failing to adhere to state stipulated prices on alcohol.

Police temporarily released the two the same day. However, the duo's freedom was short leaved. They were re-arrested in the early hours of Monday, 20 August 2007 on allegations that their release had been done outside stipulated police procedures.

On the same day, Assistant Police Commissioner Oliver Mandipaka was quoted on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holding (ZBH) news hour arguing that the police had arrested the police officer who was dealing with the case on allegations that the officer was bribed to release the business leaders. The two were released without trial.

Since the inception of the state declared war on the business community, more than 7000 business leaders have been arrested on allegations of overcharging and failing to adhere to the government's new price.

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