British newspaper journalist arrested in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe police have arrested a correspondent for UK newspaper The Independent under new security laws.

Basildon Peta is believed to be accused of organising an illegal protest against strict media curbs being debated by MPs.

Mr Peta is secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists.

Christine Samudzimi, Mr Peta's sister, said the journalist - an outspoken critic of proposed media laws - turned himself in to the main Harare police station last night after police searched his home on Saturday.

He was not there at the time and later volunteered himself for questioning.

Lawyers said Mr Peta is expected to appear in court. He will be the first prominent government critic to be charged under security laws enforced since January 18.

The wide-ranging Public Order and Security Act carries penalties of imprisonment or a fine. It tightens previous laws requiring police clearance for public meetings and outlaws criticism of President Robert Mugabe, who is fighting for his political survival in presidential polls in March.

Sweeping new media laws were passed by parliament last Thursday but still have to be signed into law by Mugabe.

Those proposed laws carry a prison term of up to two years for journalists convicted of infringements. Three journalists were arrested during last week's demonstration outside parliament in Harare. They were released later without charge.

About 70 independent journalists, some wearing cloth gags tied around their mouths, took part in the protest.