CARE: Zimbabwe suspends aid operations

updated 4:55 p.m. ET June 3, 2008

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - The aid group CARE International said Zimbabwe's government halted its operations there over alleged campaigning for the opposition.

The organization provides aid to about 500,000 Zimbabweans.

CARE International's Africa communications director Kenneth Walker said that at a meeting on Friday with Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche, the group was ordered to suspend activities immediately.

The suspension is pending an investigation into alleged political activity by staff members in support of the opposition before March 29 elections, Walker said.

Walker said Tuesday that the organization "categorically" denies it encourages or tolerates political activity by staff.

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