Mugabe’s agents accused of plot to kill Tsvangirai

ZIMBABWE’S opposition accused military intelligence agents yesterday of a plot to kill party leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The alleged plot forced Tsvangirai to postpone a plannd return to the country last weekend.

President Robert Mugabe faces Tsvangirai in a run-off election on June 27. His government said it was unaware of a plot and claimed the allegation was a media stunt.

Tsvangirai postponed his return from Europe after his Movement for Democratic Change said it had discovered the plot. He had spent more than a month abroad.

“We know there are 18 snipers, and the military intelligence directorate is in charge of this,” said Tendai Biti, MDC secretary general, at a news conference in Nairobi. “Mugabe’s military intelligence has compiled a list of 36 to 40 people to be assassinated. Top of the list are our leader Morgan Tsvangirai, myself and our spokesman Nelson Chamisa,” he said.

Zimbabweans hope the run-off will start the country’s process of recovery from complete economic collapse.