Tsvangirai adviser, 6 others charged in bomb plot

Tsvangirai adviser, 6 others charged in bomb plot

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Posted to the web: 07/01/2009 13:53:15
MORGAN Tsvangirai's former aide and six other members of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party were the first of dozens of jailed dissidents to be formally charged Wednesday, and they pleaded not guilty in a bombing plot.

The seven are among rights activists and opposition party members detained in recent weeks in what the opposition calls a crackdown on dissent.

They were charged with terrorism, banditry and insurgency, and could face the death penalty if convicted.

They include Gandi Mudzingwa, a former adviser to Tsvangirai; and Chris Dhlamini, head of security for Tsvangirai's party.

Lawyer Alec Muchadehama, who entered the not guilty pleas on behalf of his clients, told the judge the charges were "ridiculous and scandalous."

The charges stem from two minor blasts in the main Harare police station and a botched bombing of a highway bridge and railroad line west of Harare last year.

Several opposition activists accused of involvement had been acquitted earlier, and police have previously said the bombs at the police station may have been planted by disgruntled officers, possibly to destroy incriminating evidence.

In a separate case, another group of detainees has been accused -- but so far not formally charged -- of attempting to recruit fighters to train in neighboring Botswana to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.

The opposition says the various plot allegations have been fabricated amid an increasing clampdown on dissent, and could be used as an excuse to declare a state of emergency.

Mugabe, who has been in power since the country's 1980 independence from Britain, agreed in September to share power with Tsvangirai following a disputed presidential election in March. Under the deal, Mugabe is to remain president and Tsvangirai would get the new post of prime minister.

The deal has broken down, with Tsvangirai accusing Mugabe of trying to hold on to too many "key" Cabinet posts.

Zimbabwe's state-run newspaper the Herald reported Wednesday that Mugabe had named eight acting ministers to replace ministers who lost their seats in the March vote.

Last week, the president formally dismissed the ministers who lost their parliamentary seats. That move was viewed as part of preparations for unilaterally naming a new government, possibly in February. - AP
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