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More activists arrested in Bulawayo
Tererai Karimakwenda, SW Radio
September 21, 2011

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news210911/moreactivists210911.html

Just days after ten youths from the MDC-N were arrested and tortured for distributing flyers in Bulawayo, police have arrested 20 more who were peacefully conducting a voter registration exercise.

The activists were from the Youth Initiative for Development in Zimbabwe (YIDEZ), assisting voters who may have problems with documentation and registration procedures. The programme was jointly organized by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Lionel Saungweme, said the youth activists were arrested Wednesday morning in Bulawayo city centre. They are currently being held at the Bulawayo Central Police Station and have not been charged yet.

"A policeman was heard saying they might be charged for blocking the pavement," Saungweme said, adding: "It looks like a broad strategy of electioneering by ZANU PF to make sure other political parties are not active on the streets".

He explained that the Mugabe regime has always used violence and intimidation as political weapons ahead of elections in the past. But that strategy will not be acceptable this time around, with regional leaders insisting on a peaceful poll and monitoring the SADC facilitated GPA.

"SADC appears to be seeking a fair election and Robert Mugabe now has to conceal his venom," Saungweme said.

The ten MDC youths arrested on Saturday had been abducted by soldiers for distributing flyers in Sauerstown. They were accused of "throwing" flyers over the fence at State House, which serves as home to Robert Mugabe in Bulawayo, and were tortured before being turned over to the police.

Campaigning and electoral education are not supposed to be illegal in Zimbabwe, but police continue to arbitrarily ban political activities not affiliated with ZANU PF.

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