Tsvangirai's spokesman flees Zimbabwe

Tsvangirai's spokesman flees Zimbabwe

HIDING: Tsvangirai has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy

• Tsvangirai seeks refuge in Dutch embassy

• Police launch sweep of MDC HQ, scores arrested

• Tsvangirai's gamble hinges on regional support

• Text: Tsvangirai's statement announcing pull-out

• Tsvangirai withdraws from run-off

• 4 bodies of slain MDC activists recovered

• A.G.O Mutambara: We'll reject unity rooted in genocide

• Mugabe threatens to arrest MDC leaders

• Tendai Biti arrested on return to Zimbabwe

• Tsvangirai says Zimbabwe under military junta

• MDC senator's house attacked: party

• Police say war veteran killed by MDC supporters

• Tsvangirai released, told to suspend rallies

• Mutambara says Mugabe seeks to decapitate MDC

• Tsvangirai detained, then released

• Mutambara freed on bail, lawyer challenges charges

• Bush says Mutambara's arrest 'deplorable'

• Mutambara arrested over Mugabe attack

• Text: Tsvangirai speech to MDC parliamentary caucus

• Tsvangirai leaves door open for unity government

• Tsvangirai's tears for slain activist

• Morgan Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe restoration about to begin

• Arthur Mutambara: Rethinking the African economic model

• Arthur Mutambara: A shameful betrayal of our Independence

By Japhet Ncube

A FULL-SCALE military coup gathered momentum in Zimbabwe today as embattled president Robert Mugabe goes for broke in a desperate bid to stay in power and leaders of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) flee the country fearing torture, imprisonment and death.

South Africa's City Press newspaper reported Monday that top officials, including MDC spokesperson George Sibotshiwe, on Sunday night fled the country for Gaborone, Botswana, enroute to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they are to seek asylum.

Sibotshiwe confirmed in a brief telephonic interview that he was in Gaborone, but would not give full details as he believes his cellphone is bugged by Zimbabwe's dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), who have planted their agents at major entry points and airports in a bid to stop MDC officials leaving.

"As I speak to you now, the military have taken over and things are worse than they were on Sunday when we announced we were pulling out of the runoff because of the violence perpetrated by Mugabe and Zanu PF," said Sibotshiwe.

The Dutch government confirmed Tsvangirai had sought refugee at the Royal Dutch Embassy in Harare. The government has refused to renew his passport, whose pages are full, citing "security reasons". He cannot leave the country.

"The airport, the hotels, the streets crawl with militia, the CIO, armed police and other state security agents. There is a seamless coup in Zimbabwe, whichever way you look at it. And things will be even worse tomorrow moving forward," said Sibotshiwe.

The MDC officials' flight came as Harare's rumour mill went into overdrive with news that incarcerated MDC secretary general Tendai Biti had died in police custody. The unconfirmed reports were that the official line will be that Biti had been killed as he tried to escape from holding cells.

Sibotshiwe said he could not confirm anything "as we can't get through to anyone". "We hope that it is just a rumour at this stage. In Zimbabwe today, anything is possible," he said.

Tsvangirai, who won the first round of the elections in March this year, but not with an absolute majority, on Sunday announced he was pulling out of the runoff election because the violence made it impossible to hold free and fair polls.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa has already preached victory for Mugabe, branding Tsvangirai a "coward" who withdrew because he faced certain defeat.

Said Chinamasa: "It is not true that it's due to political violence (that Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the runoff), because it is his party that has been instigating violence. He spent a lot of time outside the country talking to people who do not vote. What legitimacy do you lose when a candidate withdraws, fearing defeat? The situation on the ground is now very supportive of us and Tsvangirai knows he faces certain defeat."

And despite overwhelming signs of a military takeover, Chinamasa said there was no need to call in the United Nations (UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

"There's no genocide taking place anywhere, justifying any intervention. He's only saying that to bring foreign intervention in this country. Zanu PF will continue as before after the swearing in of our President. Tsvangirai's decision is not going to give us sleepless nights. The constitution is very clear as to what happens if one candidate withdraws."

Tsvangirai told journalists in Harare on Sunday that he was pulling out in the face of more deaths and intimidation of his supporters, largely in the rural areas, where dozens have already been killed, others abducted and severely tortured.

On Sunday armed military personnel invaded and took over a stadium where Tsvangirai was to hold a rally, forcing him to abandon it.

Since Saturday the MDC leadership had been meeting to decide on the runoff, and could not reach a decision by Saturday night when the meeting was adjourned. They met again on Sunday and by lunchtime decided to pull out.

Tsvangirai informed SADC of his decision through President Thabo Mbeki, authoritative diplomatic sources said. - City Press
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