Mutambara, Tsvangirai arrested ahead of joint rally

Mutambara, Tsvangirai arrested ahead of joint rally

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By Torby Chimhashu

THE two leaders of Zimbabwe’s splintered opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were seized by riot police minutes before they were due to address a rally in Harare’s Highfield township Sunday.

Arthur Mutambara and Morgan Tsvangirai were arrested with several of their senior officials when police snatched them from their cars ahead of the rally called to launch a resistance to President Robert Mugabe's plans to extend presidential elections and protest continued harassment of opposition leaders.

Meanwhile, police confirmed an opposition supporter was shot dead in clashes with police.

Lawyers representing the politicians were last night launching an urgent High Court petition to secure their release.

Lawyers were denied access to their clients held at both Machipisa and Harare Central Police Stations.

Professor Welshman Ncube, the secretary general of the faction led by Mutambara, said late Sunday that one of their lawyers had been assaulted by the police.

He said: “The lawyer the party had instructed to assist President Mutambara and his group, Harrison Nkomo of Mtetwa and Associates, has been assaulted by the police and forced to flee leaving his vehicle at Machipisa Police Station in Highfield where we suspect the President is being held.

“This action by the police typifies the rogue nature of the regime and the complete disregard for the rule of law and respect for civil liberties. The denial of legal assistance in such a barbaric manner is consistent with the brutal nature of the Mugabe regime and should be condemned in the strongest of terms.”

In a statement issued later Sunday, a spokesman said officials had been allowed to see Mutambara at the Harare Central Police Station, and passed him food, but when they returned later, they were told he was no longer there.

Arrested alongside Tsvangirai and Mutambara was Lovemore Madhuku, the chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) pressure group and several other officials from both factions of the MDC.

These include Job Sikhala, Tendai Biti, Willas Madzimure, Sekai Holland, Nelso Chamisa, and Mike Davies.

Beatrice Mtetwa of Nyambirai, Mtetwa and Partners, representing Tsvangirai’s group, said: "Nobody is prepared to tell us what the charge is. We have asked Assistant Commissioner Mabunda who is in charge of the Law and Order Section but has said he does not know why my clients were arrested.

"However, he has refused us to get our clients arguing that the arresting details should be the ones to decide. This is quite surprising because he is the man who is charge.”

Mtetwa said legal representatives were entitled to know what offence their clients had committed. Against the background of denial of access and non-revealing of the charges, she was filing an urgent application to the High Court to secure the release of the arrested politicians.

According to Ncube, dozens of cars used by the MDC officials were also seized by the police.

Sunday’s dramatic events marked the first time that Mutambara and Tsvangirai have engaged in a public event together, made possibly by the church-driven Save Zimbabwe Coalition, a grouping of churches, opposition political parties, civic groups such as the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) and student unions.

Correspondents said major roads leading into and out of Highfield -- Willowvale, Mangwende Drive and Nyandoro roads -- were closed as cars were diverted to other destinations.

Shops were closed as riot police patrolled the shopping centre.

Dozens of commuters heading to Chitungwiza, Budiriro, Glen Norah, Glen View, Kuwadzana, Mufakose, West Gate and Dzivaresekwa were caught in the blitz.

About 100 people including midday commuters coming from the city centre were made to lie on their stomachs as the riot police battered them with baton sticks, said eye witnesses.

Police last month suspended political rallies after violence broke out in Highfield when MDC supporters who had gathered for Tsvangirai rally were ruthlessly scattered by riot police from the Zimbabwe Grounds.

Armed police fought running battles with MDC supporters who responded by stoning the security agents.

The MDC says the latest arrests will not deter the planned resistance to block Mugabe’s attempt to extend his term by a further two years when it expires next year through a constitutional amendment.

Said Ncube: “The decision to arrest our leaders will only serve to strengthen our resolve in the demand for a new democratic dispensation. We will not be deterred by Zanu PF machinations of stripping the people of their inalienable rights.”

With a record high inflation of more than 1700, Zimbabwe is going through its worst economic crisis spawned by President Mugabe's mishandling of the economy and corruption, say his critics.

Mugabe blames the current economic and political meltdown on Britain ad the United States whom he accuses of imposing economic sanctions and sponsoring his critics to force “regime change”.
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