Coup plot allegations grip Zimbabwe

Allegations of a foiled coup attempt to overthrow President Robert Mugabe gripped Zimbabwe today as details emerged on the arrests of at least seven alleged plotters, including a former army officer.

Harare lawyer Charles Warara confirmed he was representing a group held on allegations of treason since late May but has refused to elaborate.

Unconfirmed reports of a coup plot have been a main topic of discussion among embattled Zimbabweans for the past month, fuelled by rumours of an uprising in the military that led to several arrests said to have been kept under wraps by military intelligence officers.

The Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, a respected business and political weekly, today said one of its journalists saw leaked court documents relating to two recent hearings held behind closed doors.

The documents identified the alleged leader of the plot as former army officer Albert Mugove Matopo, 40, and the paper said the documents showed he was arrested with two serving soldiers last month.

Another four men were arrested in connection with state allegations of treason on May 29, the paper reported.