Bail for Zimbabwe politicians accused of lockdown breach

A number of opposition figures arrested for allegedly breaching Zimbabwe's lockdown rules have been released on $1,000 (£789) bail each.

Tendai Biti, Lynette Karenyi-Kore, David Chimhini, Gladys Hlatywayo, Lovemore Chinoputsa and Vongai Tome - all of the MDC party - were arrested on Friday for gathering at a building in the capital Harare that had been occupied overnight by a rival faction with the help of military and police.

The takeover was condemned by the US embassy, which called the security forces' actions "politicised".

All six were freed on bail on Saturday after being charged with "criminal nuisance" and breaching Covid-19 regulations banning gatherings of more than 50.

Their lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said she would file a complaint, and called the arrests "ironic" because police themselves did not enforce social distancing rules in her clients' cells nor supply "masks or any sanitisers despite request".

We are dismayed by the politicized use of security forces to take over the headquarters of an opposition party and arrest its members. A healthy democracy requires healthy opposition parties. #PoliticalArrests #AHouseStolen pic.twitter.com/l3L7Irht2r

— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) June 5, 2020