THE MINI-SKIRT MAY BE "IN" IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD, BUT IN BRAZZAVILLE, THE CAPITAL OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE, IT'S DEFINITELY OUT. LIKE SEVERAL OTHER AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS, THE CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE GOVERNMENT HAS BANNED THE MINI-SKIRT.

LAST TUESDAY POLICE MADE LIGHTNING SWOOPS AROUND BRAZZAVILLE AND ARRESTED ABOUT 300 GIRLS. MOST OF THE GIRLS WERE CONGOLESE BUT A FEW OF THEM WERE EUROPEAN.

THEIR CRIME WAS WEARING A SKIRT THAT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLY WITH OFFICIAL LAWS. BUT ACTION IS NOT ONLY BEING TAKEN AGAINST THOSE WHO WEAR THE MINI-SKIRT, BUT ALSO AGAINST THOSE WHO SELL THEM.

MOST OF THE GIRLS ARRESTED WERE ROUNDED UP OUTSIDE A BRAZZAVILLE SCHOOL. THEY WERE TAKEN TO LOCAL GAOLS, WHERE THEY REMAINED UNTIL THEIR PARENTS, OR IN SOME CASES, THEIR HUSBANDS, BROUGHT THEM A LONGER DRESS TO WEAR HOME.