Six MDC members arrested, 10 injured in Harare protests

A party vehicle was burnt overnight in apparent retaliation for the MDC organising the march on Wednesday.

People run as riot police use tear gas and water cannons while patrolling the streets to break up barricades set up by the opposition led by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) during protests over "uneven" distribution of voter registration centres for Zimbabwe 2018 general elections on 12 July 2017 in Harare. Picture: AFP.

Eyewitness News | 1376 days ago

HARARE - At least six opposition supporters are now known to have been arrested and another 10 injured after riot police broke up a protest march on Wednesday.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai, says a party vehicle was burnt overnight in apparent retaliation for organising the march.

MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora says his party believes state agents were behind this arson attack.

He says the vehicle belonged to the MDC Youth Assembly, which organised the march in Harare on Wednesday to press for reforms ahead of next year’s elections.

The march was broken up by riot police using tear gas and water cannons.

Mwonzora says at least six supporters were arrested and another 10 people needed treatment after they were beaten by police armed with baton sticks.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association is warning of more political conflict if electoral reforms aren’t addressed.