Zim activist arrested for Mugabe insult

[iolsa]

Harare - Zimbabwe police on Thursday arrested a youth leader from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party for allegedly undermining the authority of long ruling President Robert Mugabe, the party said.

"Solomon Madzore, the MDC Youth Assembly leader was arrested this morning by police officers," the Movement for Democratic Change led by Tsvangirai said in a statement.

"The police are claiming that Madzore last month addressed an MDC rally in Mbire, Mashonaland central province where he made insulting remarks on Zanu PF's Robert Mugabe."

Police were not immediately available for comment.

The MDC said the arrest of Madzore, who is the president of the party's youth wing, is meant to "cow the people ahead of the next elections."

"These are the kicks of a dying horse," the party said.

"The MDC wants to reassure the people not to fear the harassment  of the police which is being used by the sunset party Zanu PF."

Madzore is out on bail together with a dozen other party activists on another charge of allegedly murdering a police officer  in 2011. The MDC has said those charges were also meant to harass their supporters.

Madzore spent over a year in custody before being released. - Sapa-AFP



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