Zimbabwe opposition leader faces more treason charges

Zimbabwe opposition leader faces more treason charges

TSVANGIRAI

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By Agencies

ZIMBABWE opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai appeared before a magistrate's court on Wednesday for a remand hearing on a second set of treason charges, two days before a ruling on a charge of plotting to kill President Robert Mugabe.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader was ordered to return to court on November 3, Tsvangirai's spokesman William Bango said.

On Friday, a High Court is due to hand down a ruling on another treason charge arising from Tsvangirai's meetings with a Canadian political consultant in which he allegedly spoke of "eliminating" Mugabe ahead of presidential polls in 2002.

If convicted, Tsvangirai -- who has been a constant thorn in the side of Mugabe -- risks the death penalty.

The new treason charges arose from mass anti-government protests Tsvangirai organised last year in which he is accused of urging Zimbabweans to oust Mugabe.

The state accuses Tsvangirai of inciting supporters to overthrow the government and engage in acts of public violence but he denied that the strikes and street marches were aimed at removing the long-serving leader from power.

He said they were a spontaneous demonstration of public anger at the economic and social hardships that the common person was facing.

Zimbabwe last year experienced acute shortages of food, fuel and bank notes, with inflation shooting over the 600 per cent mark.

Tsvangirai has denied plotting to kill Mugabe and claims he was framed by the political consultant.
AFP
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