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| Zimbabwe police hold union chief | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's main trade union leader has been arrested by police for attempting to hold a demonstration which the government had earlier banned. | |
| Wellington Chibebe said he had been beaten with batons and rifle butts as the police arrested him and 15 others. | |
| The unions called a demonstration over the country's deep economic crisis. | |
| But security forces put up roadblocks sealing off the capital, Harare, and are out in force in other major towns. | |
| The second city Bulawayo is reported to be quiet. | |
| Zimbabwe's Congress of Trade Unions is demonstrating against an inflation rate of 1,000% and are demanding higher incomes, lower taxes and more medicines to fight HIV/Aids. | |
| Speaking by telephone from police custody, Mr Chibebe told the BBC that the police in as some 1,500 of them gathered to begin their protest. | |
| "I'm saying, we've been arrested when we started our demo. We've been badly beaten." | |
| Warnings | |
| The ZCTU called for demonstrations in 34 towns and cities across Zimbabwe. | The ZCTU called for demonstrations in 34 towns and cities across Zimbabwe. |
| But there were predications of a low turnout, with the threat of a violent crackdown and mass arrests putting many off - as well as the prospect of forfeiting a day's income. | But there were predications of a low turnout, with the threat of a violent crackdown and mass arrests putting many off - as well as the prospect of forfeiting a day's income. |
| ZIMBABWE CRISIS Life expectancy 30 yearsHigh dependency on food aid20% adult HIV prevalenceShortages of basic foodstuffsHigh unemploymentInflation 1,000% Have Your Say | ZIMBABWE CRISIS Life expectancy 30 yearsHigh dependency on food aid20% adult HIV prevalenceShortages of basic foodstuffsHigh unemploymentInflation 1,000% Have Your Say |
| The union action was backed by church groups and the main opposition party - the Movement for Democratic Change. | |
| On Monday, dozens of protesting women were arrested in the capital by police protesting at a lack of municipal services. | |
| Earlier, police spokesman Wayne Bzudzijena had warned that they would be out in full force to maintain peace and order. | Earlier, police spokesman Wayne Bzudzijena had warned that they would be out in full force to maintain peace and order. |
| Under Zimbabwean laws, public demonstrations require police clearance and unauthorised gatherings are frequently broken up. | Under Zimbabwean laws, public demonstrations require police clearance and unauthorised gatherings are frequently broken up. |
| "Those who want to go about their normal, legitimate business in town can do so without fear," he told AFP news agency. | "Those who want to go about their normal, legitimate business in town can do so without fear," he told AFP news agency. |
| But ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe had said they would not be deterred by police threats. | But ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe had said they would not be deterred by police threats. |
| "Are we not already being crushed by hunger and poverty?" he said. | "Are we not already being crushed by hunger and poverty?" he said. |
| Zimbabwe's economy has been in sharp decline for more than six years. | Zimbabwe's economy has been in sharp decline for more than six years. |