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July 2011 Vol 35, Business , Financial and Property Indaba

Zimbabwe state media say 5 finance ministry employees arrested, accused of abuse of office

Mon, Jul 11, 2011

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe state media says police have arrested five employees of the finance ministry, which is controlled by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party.

Independent rights groups have decried what they call harassment of Tsvangirai supporters by President Robert Mugabe’s loyalists. The two sides have been joined in an uneasy coalition government following violent and inconclusive 2008 elections.

The state-controlled Sunday Mail says the five latest to be arrested were detained Thursday and Friday on allegations of taking unauthorized trips and violating purchasing procedures.

Last month, hundreds of Mugabe supporters demonstrated at Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s office, demanding increases in civil service salaries. Biti says the government can’t afford raises.

By Staff reporter and agencies

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