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MDC Threatens Protests Over Tsvangirai's Arrest

The Daily News (Harare)
NEWS
June 9, 2003
Posted to the web June 8, 2003

By Staff Reporter

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) yesterday threatened to renew anti-
government protests unless the police release its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai,
who is facing fresh treason charges.
Tsvangirai, already on trial for treason for allegedly plotting to assassinate
President Robert Mugabe prior to last year's presidential election, was
arrested on Friday.
He is facing a further treason charge for allegedly making statements calling
for the unconstitutional removal of Mugabe from office.
Speaking at a Press conference after a meeting of the opposition party's
national executive, MDC vice-president Gibson Sibanda told journalists: "To the
regime we have one message: Release President Tsvangirai immediately. If our
president is not released immediately, the dying regime must brace itself for a
long winter of intense but peaceful protests." He would not elaborate on what
such protests would involve, saying the details would be announced in due
course.
Tsvangirai was arrested at his Harare home on Friday soon after he told
diplomats and journalists at a Press conference that the MDC was planning
"rolling mass action" following last week's protests, which brought most of the
country to a halt.
He was scheduled to appear before the Harare Magistrates' Court on Saturday
morning, but the remand hearing was postponed to today following what the
prosecutor said were "administrative problems".
The police say Tsvangirai uttered subversive statements at rallies in Bulawayo
and Mutare on 3 May and 25 May respectively, and yesterday said they were also
looking for Welshman Ncube, the MDC secretary-general, in connection with the
same charges.
Sibanda said the MDC leader was in high spirits during the weekend and had
urged the party to "remain focused, united and resolute in our goal to regain
our sovereignty".
Tsvangirai is jointly charged with Ncube and Renson Gasela, the MDC's shadow
minister of agriculture, in a treason trial currently underway in the High
Court.
Sibanda told journalists yesterday that only dialogue would resolve the
Zimbabwe crisis.
He stressed that the aim of the opposition party's mass action was to press
Mugabe to sit at the negotiating table with the MDC to resolve the country's
problems.
Sibanda also condemned the State's use of force against protesters last week.
The army and police last Monday used batons and teargas to prevent
demonstrators from marching into city centres around the country. They are also
accused of firing live bullets in some areas, injuring some protesters.
On Friday, ruling ZANU PF youths and members of the State security forces
sealed off areas to which demonstrators had targeted to march.
More than 200 people were arrested last week in connection with the mass
action.
"It is clear that Mugabe is no longer in charge," Sibanda said.
"He has lost the blessing and support of the people. He relies on his
repressive machinery. The regime has reacted in the most irresponsible manner
to the people's democratic right to demonstrate their anger.
"We expect more arrests but we have nothing to fear. We have suffered so much
and we are as good as dead. This reckless action will not stem the tide of
change that is in the air. The people have spoken. They will continue to speak,
this time with greater intensity and frequency."
Sibanda added: "It's not going to be an event but a process. The shortages and
the suffering that the people are going through are clear testimony that the
crisis can only be resolved by the parties' coming together to talk."
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) condemned Tsvangirai's arrest, saying it
demonstrated increasing repression in Harare.
"The EU is deeply concerned by the arrest of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai," the EU
presidency said in a statement.
"This step clearly demonstrates that the government of Mr Mugabe is increasing
its repressive and intimidating measures against the opposition".
The 15-member economic bloc added: "As a friend of Zimbabwe, the EU urges the
government in Harare to find a peaceful solution to Zimbabwe's internal
political conflict through a policy of national dialogue and respect for human
rights.
"The presidency reiterates the EU's position in favour of every effort made by
political parties in Zimbabwe and by its neighbours to facilitate and promote
democratic dialogue and national reconciliation."

   

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