An 18-year-old member of Bulawayo-based activist group Women of Zimbabwe Arise was reported missing on Friday after being arrested on Thursday in the aftermath of protests against electrical power cuts in which police arrested 83 other members.
Clara Makoni was arrested with fellow activist Angeline Karuru when they tried to bring food to Karuru’s mother, then held at the Luveve, Bulawayo, police station. The two were beaten, then transferred to the central Bulawayo station, group sources. said.
WOZA National Coordinator Jenni Williams said the young woman telephoned to say that she was not feeling well, and that police had ordered her to lead them to the home of senior WOZA activist Magodonga Mahlangu.
The WOZA members arrested Thursday for demonstrating at offices of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority were charged with committing a criminal nuisance, said Williams, and would be summonsed at a later date for action in their cases.
Angeline Karura, released Friday, told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe about the circumstances under which she and Makoni were arrested.
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