Zimbabwean opposition leader arrested with 80 young people

Zimbabwe security forces have on Sunday arrested opposition leader Jameson Timba and 80 youths, for holding a political gathering which authorities said was unauthorized, Reuters agency reported, citing their lawyer.

Timba took over as interim leader of Citizens Coalition for Change after former leader Nelson Chamisa quit the party in January, alleging it had been hijacked by the ruling ZANU-PF party.

“They are still in custody and we are working on their release. They are likely to be charged with maintenance of public order laws,” lawyer Agency Gumbo said.

CCC party spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said the arrests were “regrettable” and showed “democratic regression”.