Zimbabwe protesters 'assaulted'

Protesters are frequently arrested in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean political activists were brutally beaten by police after being arrested on Wednesday, they say.

Some 300 people were arrested near parliament after demonstrating in support of political reforms, says the National Constitutional Assembly, NCA.

Some people were released on Wednesday night but more than 100 are still being held.

Demonstrations are illegal under tough security laws, unless officially sanctioned by the police.

"Most of them were beaten on their backs, hands and under the feet," NCA deputy chairman Douglas Mwonzora told the BBC Focus on Africa programme.

NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku remains in detention and was also beaten, Mr Mwonzora said.

'Not wanted'

He accepted that the march was illegal but said the NCA would no longer request police authorisation for its marches, because this was never given.

"Applying for permission to demonstrate in Zimbabwe by our organisation is merely academic," he said.

"This was a surprise demonstration."

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said he had received no such reports and told AFP news agency that people should make a report "when they are unfairly dealt with".

Lawyers said they were denied access to those arrested and ordered out of the building.

"Police said we were not wanted and they pushed us outside," said lawyer Alec Muchadehama.

The NCA has long campaigned for a new constitution in Zimbabwe, in particular reducing the powers of the president.

In 2000, it led the successful campaign to reject a proposed constitution drafted by a government-appointed commission.

Lost MP

Meanwhile, an MP belonging to the ruling Zanu-PF party has had his election victory annulled.

Shadreck Chipanga, a former intelligence chief, won the seat of Makoni East in the 2000 parliamentary elections.

Mugabe's election victory will be challenged next month

The court ruling is the result of a legal challenge mounted by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The MDC has disputed the victory of more than half of Zanu-PF's seats, citing ballot rigging and intimidation of its supporters.

It has won eight, and lost a similar number of the 37 election appeals it has brought to court.

A by-election must now be held in the vacant seat.

On 3 November, the courts are due to start hearing the MDC challenge to President Robert Mugabe's 2002 election victory.