By Staff Writer
Five members of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) led by Job Sikhala have been arrested in Harare in what appears to be a national crackdown on the opposition amid claims that they are attempting to cause instability in Zimbabwe.
But the opposition claims that the government is attempting to cover up massive corruption linked to the ruling elite, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his inner circle.
In a statement, the NDWG said it is concerned over machinations, alarmism, despondency and overzealousness of police as government becomes “increasingly paranoid following revelations of shocking levels of corruption involving very senior civil servants and elite politicians.
The NDWG said its arrested members were distributing monthly food handouts to less privileged Kuwadzana residents.
The arrested activists who are currently in police custody are Edmore Svinurai, Emily Mwali, Isaya Ndawana, Patience Ndoro and Regina Aniwute.
The NDWG said, “The police are pressing charges of gathering without police clearance. The meeting was never a political gathering but a social justice interaction of persons who have been doing good for poor and the vulnerable at a private residence of one of its members.”
NDWG comprises churches, students, businesses and others.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unreachable for comment on his mobile phone.
Seventy-nine CCC activists arrested two weeks ago for attending an event in which they were commemorating International Day of the African Child are currency in remand prison facing charges of attending an illegal meeting at Jameson Timba’s Harare residence.
