Police Break Up Rally for Reform in Zimbabwe
By REUTERS
HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 15 (Reuters) — The police fired tear gas and beat people who were preparing to hold a meeting on constitutional reform in the central Zimbabwe city of Gweru on Saturday, the coalition organizing the event said.
About 80 people were arrested, including the coalition's chairman, Lovemore Madhuku, said Ernest Mudzengi, spokesman for the group, the National Constitutional Assembly.
The meeting was meant to focus on an economic and political crisis for which many blame President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government.
Mr. Mugabe was quoted in The East African Standard, a Kenyan newspaper, on Saturday as indicating that he plans to retire when his term ends in 2008 and that he is seeking a successor.
It was the second time this year that Mr. Mugabe, 80, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, had suggested that he would not seek another term.
"I want to retire from politics," Mr. Mugabe was quoted as saying by The Standard. "I have had enough. I am also a writer and would like to concentrate on writing after this term of office is over."