Zimbabwe Suspends Aid Group's Operations

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — CARE International said yesterday that Zimbabwe's government suspended the group's aid operations in the country after accusing it of campaigning for the opposition. At least two other aid groups also said they had been told to curb some activities.

CARE's Africa communications director, Kenneth Walker, said the order for an immediate halt to aid work came during a Friday meeting with the Social Welfare minister, Nicholas Goche.

Mr. Walker said officials ordered that the halt continue during an investigation into allegations of political activity by CARE staff members in support of opposition candidates before the disputed March 29 presidential and parliament elections.

Mr. Walker said CARE "categorically" denies it encourages or tolerates political activity by staff. "We have a very strict policy against political activity," he said.

The group provides aid to about 500,000 Zimbabweans and had been scheduled to expand food distribution to about 1 million people this month, he said.