ZIMBABWE’S main opposition leader yesterday said police beat him repeatedly in the head, back, knees and arm and he lost a lot of blood in an attack seemed intended “to inflict as much harm as they could”.

AUTHORITIES arrested Zimbabwe’s opposition leader, beat protesters and fired tear gas and warning shots yesterday to squash demonstrations aimed at presenting the most significant challenge yet to President Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader has been charged with treason less than two weeks before the presidential elections that threaten to end nearly 22 years of Robert Mugabe’s rule.