Organizers of the rally had vowed to go ahead with the rally despite the imposition of a ban on political rallies last month, arguing that prayer vigils should not be included in the ban.
According to The Save Zimbabwe Campaign, shops, bars and churches were forced by the riot police to shut for the day.
Just last week, Christian humanitarian agencies Tearfund and Christian Aid spoke out against President Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party for putting pressure on church groups carrying out human rights work. The crackdown includes the recent arrest of eight church leaders and the closure of the office of a church-based human rights organization funded by Christian Aid in Harare.
“This harassment is unacceptable,” said Christian Aid’s Africa policy manager, Babatunde Olugboji.
“State services have all but collapsed in Zimbabwe and the poor have limited access to healthcare, education, clean water, food and other essentials. Aid agencies are playing a major role in keeping people off the bread line,” said Olugboji.
