BULAWAYO – A Zimbabwe opposition official on Thursday appeared in court in Gwanda town on allegations that he distributed pamphlets inciting the army to revolt against the government.
 
Sithatshisiwe Sibanda, who is the provincial administrator for a faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Arthur Mutambara, was arrested on Wednesday for breaching the tough Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
 
Sibanda was remanded out of custody on free bail to November 17.
 
The state alleges that Sibanda last month distributed subversive Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) pamphlets inciting the army and police to revolt against the government.
 
The ZCTU last month attempted to hold protests in Harare over worsening economic hardships in the country. The protests were however violently put down by state security agents.
 
MDC spokesman for Matabeleland South province, Zinti Mnkandla said the arrest of Sibanda was nothing but a clear case of political harassment.
 
“There was nothing sinister with the ZCTU pamphlets and Sibanda was not even distributing the pamphlets but the pamphlets were in the office for anyone who wanted to read to pick them up,” said Mnkandla.
 
The arrest of Sibanda comes barely a week after the police also arrested another MDC legislator Abednico Bhebhe and a former white commercial farmer, Peter Goosen on allegations of assaulting members of a pro-government labour union in Bulawayo.
 
The MDC accuses the police of harassing its officials on flimsy grounds. Several of the party's senior officials have been arrested during the past six years with none of them ever being convicted in a court of law. - ZimOnline