MDC accuses police of harassment as Tsvangirai's raided

MDC accuses police of harassment as Tsvangirai's raided

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By Rhiannon Edward

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has accused the police of harassing its leader to hinder his political activities before crucial elections next year.

Police on Saturday searched the Harare home of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition party. They said they were looking for weapons allegedly kept there. None were found, said opposition spokesman William Bango.

Under sweeping security laws, police also refused to authorise a meeting Tsvangirai had been scheduled to address on Saturday, Bango said.

Another opposition meeting called by Tsvangirai in Hwedza district, east of Harare, last Tuesday was called off after police cited security concerns.

Police deny harassing Tsvangirai and say the opposition was asked to postpone the Hwedza meeting because a rally for the ruling party was scheduled nearby in the volatile district at the same time.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said officers raided Tsvangirai’s home on suspicion that he was hiding firearms said to have been used in a clash with ruling party supporters.

The opposition insists Tsvangirai’s meeting with opposition politicians was disrupted by a group of about 200 ruling party militants who arrived armed with axes, clubs, stones and teargas.

Tsvangirai is said to have taken shelter from a hail of stones in his armoured car and was not injured. Witnesses said two tear gas canisters were discharged. Bango said Tsvangirai’s staff did not carry firearms, grenades or tear gas.

"Mr Tsvangirai is surprised that he is being targeted for investigation when he was a victim of political violence."

Tsvangirai believed police were targeting him "to frustrate his political work" before parliamentary elections next March, Bango said.

Tsvangirai is still facing treason charges that he plotted the assassination of president Robert Mugabe in 2001.

The trial ended in February. Last Thursday, the Harare High Court postponed the verdict indefinitely for administrative reasons, court officials said, after two High Court assessors requested more time to study court transcripts.

Tsvangirai denies the charges, which carry a possible death sentence. He was charged with treason before 2002 presidential elections Mugabe narrowly won. The opposition leader surrendered his passport and was forced to report regularly to police while on bail. The trial itself lasted more than eight months.
Scotsman
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