Police arrest Zimbabwe opposition MDC spokeswoman

Zimbabwe main opposition MDC Alliance party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has been detained at a police station in central Harare following anti-government protests.

Mahere is one of several people, including prominent author Tsitsi Dangarembga, who were arrested on Friday in Zimbabwe, as hundreds of military troops as well as police attempted to thwart the demonstration.

Her lawyer Chris Mhike said she and six other people were arrested by armed anti-riot police officers.

"The specific allegations is that they breached Section 37 of that law (Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act)  which alleges that they were participating in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence, breach of peace," Mhike said.

Organisers said demonstrators originally planned to protest alleged government corruption but instead targeted the ruling political party, using the hashtag #ZANUPFmustgo.”

Tensions are rising in Zimbabwe as the economy implodes. Inflation is more than 700%, the second highest in the world. Now the coronavirus burdens the threadbare health system.