Tsvangirai takes witness stand, denies plot

Tsvangirai takes witness stand, denies plot

TSVANGIRAI

• Warrant of arrest out for Sikhala

• Sikhala convicted

• Tsvangiai calls for coalition

• Mugabe pulls Zim out of C'nwealth

• Obasanjo snubs Mugabe

• Mugabe not stepping down

By Staff Reporter
19/01/04
ZIMBABWE'S opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, accused of plotting to "eliminate" President Robert Mugabe, on Monday stood on the witness stand for the first time since his trial began last February, and denied the allegation.

Tsvangirai's deposition started at 12.05pm with the head of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change giving personal details, including the fact that he has six children.

He denied allegations that he plotted to assassinate Mugabe and arrange a military coup ahead of the March 2002 presidential election, which he lost to Mugabe.

The state accuses Tsvangirai of requesting help to kill Mugabe ahead of the elections at a meeting in Montreal in December 2001 with political consultant Ari Ben Menashe.

Charges against two of his colleagues were dropped last August.

Judge Paddington Garwe is due to rule on whether the charges against Mr Tsvangirai can be changed.

Death penalty

In December, the prosecution requested to change the charges to ones of "discussion of transitional arrangements after [Mr Mugabe's] assassination as well as seeking military support after the elimination".

Mr Tsvangirai's lawyers opposed the request, saying it amounted to laying fresh charges.

The key prosecution witness was employed to lobby for Mugabe's party
The video tape was made by Canadian political consultant Ari Ben Menashe and allegedly shows Mr Tsvangirai discussing Mr Mugabe's "elimination".

In his testimony, Mr Ben-Menashe said that Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had signed a $500,000 contract with his firm and promised $10m to the head of the air force, Air Marshal Perence Shiri, to stage a coup after Mr Mugabe's assassination.

If convicted, Mr Tsvangirai could face the death penalty.

Defence lawyer George Bizos said that Mr Ben Menashe was of "questionable credibility" and "a notorious and demonstrable liar."

He was subsequently employed by Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party as a public relations lobbyist.

The defence team says that the tape was doctored as part of a plot to entrap Mr Tsvangirai.

Last June, he was charged with treason for a second time and spent more than a week in police custody after calling for anti-government street protests and a nationwide strike.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
editor@newzimbabwe.com