Updated

Zimbabwe's main opposition says six of its supporters spent three nights in jail after they allegedly grabbed seed and fertilizer donations which they said were being distributed only to members of President Robert Mugabe's ruling party.

Movement for Democratic Change party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said Wednesday the six defied efforts by officials of Mugabe's ZANU-PF to control handouts of free farming inputs. He said they appeared Wednesday in court in the eastern Nyanga district where theft charges were dropped.

Mwonzora said his party members objected to the biased distribution and were arrested for taking the farming supplies.

Mugabe's party has frequently been accused of using donor handouts for political gain. According to the United Nations 2.2 million rural Zimbabweans need emergency aid to prepare for the new growing season.