HARARE, Zimbabwe, April 6 -- Police cracked down today on planned demonstrations to protest the disputed presidential election, arresting at least 22 people in Harare and blockading strategic locations in other towns.
Those arrested included Lovemore Madhuku, who heads the umbrella organization of civic groups organizing the protest against President Robert Mugabe's reelection in early March.
Madhuku said the detainees expected to be charged with defying security laws that ban political gatherings of more than three people unless authorized by police. Police officials were not available to comment on the arrests.
Small groups of demonstrators were prevented from reaching a planned march through downtown Harare today. Police blocked off the area and posted riot police. Police blockades also prevented gatherings in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, and the provincial towns of Mutare and Gweru.
Thousands of government critics and opposition activists have been arrested since the election, in which the government said Mugabe defeated Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change.
