Zimbabwe opposition leader arrested ahead of demonstrations

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

He was arrested at his home and accused of planning an illegal demonstration, an official for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said.

Officers also visited the home of MDC Secretary General Welshman Ncube overnight in a bid to arrest him, but Ncube was not there, the opposition said.

The MDC called its supporters onto the streets in what it hoped would be the most significant challenge yet to President Robert Mugabe’s decades in power.

Police roadblocks were set on all main roads leading into the capital Harare and military helicopters swooped over the second city Bulawayo ahead of the planned demonstrations. Both are opposition strongholds.

Police had visited Tsvangirai’s home earlier, at about midnight, and told the guards at his gate they had come to arrest him.

Tsvangirai was not at home then and the police left. They returned later today and took him into custody.

The MDC leader is already facing treason charges for allegedly trying to arrange Mugabe’s assassination with two other MDC officials.

The three vehemently deny the charges and say they were framed by a political consultant working for Mugabe.

Tsvangirai had planned to lead one protest march into central Harare today before going to court for the resumption of his treason trial.

In Bulawayo, meanwhile, two MDC MPs were also arrested and accused of planning an illegal demonstration, MDC officials said.

Over the weekend the High Court declared the protests illegal, but the MDC said it would appeal to the Supreme Court today.

State media said this week’s demonstrations and strikes will be “met with the full wrath of the law”.

It said ruling party youths loyal to the government would break up opposition street protests and quoted Defence Minister Sidney Sekeramayi as saying “enough measures” were being taken to any unrest.

“Our soil is very sacrosanct. We shall not allow it to be recolonised,” Sekeramayi said.

Armoured cars and troops carriers headed into Harare yesterday from their base at Inkomo barracks, 25 miles north-west of the city.

The government has repeatedly accused former colonial ruler Britain of funding the MDC and opposition-backed trade unions to mount a campaign to remove Mugabe from power.

Government vehicles sped through Harare last night throwing out fliers urging Zimbabweans to ignore protest calls: “No to mass action. No to British puppets. Let the workers go to work, let the children go to school and let the banks and businesses remain open. Remain strong.”

It was the first time the government distributed political fliers that littered the streets, with few being picked up by passers-by.

Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo said business owners who supported the protests by shutting out their workers will have their operating licences withdrawn and be forced to close.

“They are playing a risky game. They must be ready to shut permanently,” he said.

The opposition says it wants Mugabe to negotiate on the nation’s deepening political and economic crisis and agree to step down so new presidential elections can be held.

In weekend adverts entitled “Countdown to the final push,” the MDC said: “Any thought of the dictator giving up power quietly is sheer delusion. The Zimbabweans story begins to unfold – sadly, in our streets. We are now ready to go. The end is now in sight.”

Zimbabwe is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with 269% inflation and acute shortages of hard currency, fuel, medicines, food and other essential imports. Only international aid has averted mass starvation.