Correspondent|MDC Alliance spokesperson Jacob Mafume has been arrested. Mafume is currently detained by police at Harare Central Law and Order Section.

Party officials say the police are indicating that they will prefer treason charges against him.

Former MDC legislator and Minister of Education David Coltart says that Mafume’s arrest shows that the country is back to the 1980s when ZANU PF systematically detained ZAPU MPs in an attempt to crush that party.

A number of MDC Alliance officials have been arrested and charged with offences ranging from criminal nuisance to treason.

This follows the violent protests in January against a sharp spike in fuel prices. the State accuses opposition officials of encouraging banditry under the guise of peaceful demonstrations.

Property worth millions of dollars was lost during the protests, while as many as 17 people lost their lives.