Victory for Tsvangirai, but Mugabe still in charge

Victory for Tsvangirai, but Mugabe still in charge

• 3 journalists arrested as Tsvangirai acquitted

• Tsvangirai acquitted of treason charges

• Tsvangirai counting hours until D-Day

• Yet another treason charge for Tsvangirai

• Tsvangirai sues Ben Menashe in Canada

• Tsvangirai's treason trial lawyer wins IBA award

• Treason judgement won't bar Tsvangirai from polls

• Tsvangirai treason judgement imminent

• MDC accuses police of harassment as Tsvangirai raided

• Tsvangirai treason trial judgement postponed

• Tvangirai trial closes in Harare

• Bizos: Menashe a liar

• Ncube testifies at Tsvangirai trial

• Tsvangirai grilled on Menashe deal

• Herald lies over treason trial

• Mugabe was my hero - Tsvangirai

• Tsvangirai takes witness stand

DESPITE the acquittal of its leader, the Harare opposition is crippled, writes David Blair

Moments of triumph have been rare for Morgan Tsvangirai during his tempestuous years in the dangerous occupation of being President Robert Mugabe's leading opponent, and his acquittal was a desperately needed boost.

But although the shadow of Mr Tsvangirai being jailed or even hanged for treason has been lifted, at least for now, nothing can disguise the appalling realities of Zimbabwean politics.

Mr Mugabe has succeeded in crushing the opposition's challenge, and his regime's mastery of violence, intimidation and outright ballot rigging almost guarantees that he will never lose an election. Mr Tsvangirai's acquittal does not change this central fact.

Moreover, the case has already succeeded in inflicting immense damage on his Movement for Democratic Change. The treason charges were first laid in February 2002 and legal wrangles have dominated the past 32 months. The cost of defending its leader in court has financially crippled the MDC.

Mr Tsvangirai has been confined to Zimbabwe, preventing him from putting his case to African leaders, notably South African President Thabo Mbeki, who remain publicly supportive of Mr Mugabe.

The opposition leader's bail conditions have limited his ability to campaign and travel within Zimbabwe. The immense strain of the trial sapped his morale and consumed his time. The MDC has been paralysed and effectively rendered leaderless.

The party, which has now lost six seats in byelections, has been driven to announce that it will not contest parliamentary polls due next March, although Mr Tsvangirai suggested otherwise after the court verdict.

Zimbabwe's full panoply of repressive legislation, which amounts to a state of emergency by the back door, continues to make normal political campaigning almost impossible.

Mr Tsvangirai may have been acquitted simply because the MDC has already been crippled. Had he been jailed, the opposition would have been handed a rallying cry.

But Mr Tsvangirai's ordeal is not over. He faces a second charge of treason in relation to a general strike organised by the MDC in June last year. This accusation is even more spurious than the one for which he has been cleared.

Friday's verdict will lift the party's morale, but the cards of Zimbabwean politics remain firmly stacked in Mr Mugabe's favour - Telegraph
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