Zimbabwe’s only independent daily newspaper failed to publish today after armed police raided and closed down its offices, saying they violated the country’s law.

THE detention of Zimbabwe’s opposition leader for a third day has strengthened the party’s will to press on with sudden and “intense” anti-government protests, the opposition deputy leader said yesterday.

Police arrested Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today ahead of widespread anti-government protests that the authorities had vowed to crush.

Zimbabweans’ three-day wait for a chance to vote in the most bitterly contested elections in their nation’s history ended with police wielding clubs and firing tear gas.

Zimbabwe’s tainted presidential election went into a court-ordered third day but tonight it seemed that by hook, or more likely by crook, President Robert Mugabe will cling on to power.

Zimbabwe’s presidential elections slid into chaos today as the government appeared to defy an order extending voting, two senior opposition officials were arrested, and state-run media accused Britain and America of preparing ‘‘a major military offensive’’.

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.

Zimbabwe plans to ban independent monitors ahead of presidential elections expected early next year.