Dozens held after Mugabe protest clashes

POLICE used tear gas and water cannons to break up a key rally of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in the Zimbabwean capital Harare yestertoday, arresting dozens of people, it has been reported.

Party spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said police prevented opposition supporters from attending the rally at which the leader of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, had planned to launch his presidential campaign.

Police tried to block the rally last week, arguing they did not have sufficient manpower to guarantee law and order.