Zimbabwe police have briefly detained the opposition mayor of Harare, Elias Mudzuri, for showing up at his office despite being suspended by the government.
Beatrice Mtetwa, the mayor's attorney, told VOA that police detained Mr. Mudzuri Monday and released him on condition that he not return to his office. She said police threatened to arrest him if he showed up for work again.
A police spokesman declined comment.
Ms. Mtetwa said police told her they were acting on the orders of Ignatius Chombo, Zimbabwe's minister of local government. The minister suspended Mr. Mudzuri for alleged mismanagement in late April.
Ms. Mtetwa says the mayor has denied the allegations and has every intention of showing up for work until a judge has declared the suspension valid. She said the matter is still pending in court.