Civic groups have vowed to launch protests over the arrest and alleged beating and torture of leaders of the political and civil opposition in the wake of Sunday’s abortive prayer meeting in Highfield, where police shot and killed an activist.
Students have mobilized in support of the arrested opposition officials and members. Several leaders of the Zimbabwe National Students Union were arrested in Harare at the University of Zimbabwe when they tried to organize a street march.
Hundreds of Zimbabweans in exile showed up for a demonstration at the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg to protest the arrests and reported beatings.
Johannesburg-based regional representative Pastor Emmanuel Hlabangana of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, speaking on behalf of the Zimbabwe opposition umbrella organization, told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that demonstrations are in the works to step up pressure on the government.
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