Rights lawyer arrested after stopping house search
Sunday 17 March 2013
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EmailZimbabwean police arrested a prominent human rights lawyer and four senior officials from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party today, a day after voting closed on a new constitution.
Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa is being charged with "obstructing or defeating the course of justice" after allegedly stopping police from searching an address in Harare.
Mr Tsvangirai's chief legal adviser Thabani Mpofu was held for impersonating police officers on charges that he illegally gathered information about alleged crimes.
Three other members of Mr Tsvangirai's staff were also arrested.
Activists in Mr Tsvangirai's party regularly compile information on alleged right abuses committed by President Robert Mugabe's security forces.
Voting for a new constitution ended late on Saturday, with results expected midweek.
All main party leaders supported the reforms, which curb presidential powers and strengthen human rights.
Mr Mugabe was accused of clamping down on the opposition and election observers ahead of the vote.
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