Riot police descended upon Harare’s Saint Mary’s district Thursday after opposition members distributed fliers publicizing a rally scheduled for Sunday, sources said.
Witnesses said police beat people on the streets and assaulted others in their homes.
Saint Mary’s parliamentarian Job Sikhala of the Movement for Democratic Change faction headed by Arthur Mutambara said some 20 people were arrested while one man was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the melees.
Sources said a pregnant woman, Patience Chisvo-Mhiripiri, was also beaten.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena refused to comment on the reports.
Sikhala said about 50 riot police surrounded his home early today and ransacked it, then went on a rampage in the neighborhood.
Sikhala told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the police sent him threatening physical harm if the proposed Sunday rally goes ahead.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...