Zimbabwean opposition leader arrested over protests
Zimbabwean police have again arrested the country’s main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on the last day of anti-government protests.
His spokesman, William Bango, of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), confirmed that two policemen had put Mr Tsvangirai under arrest at his home and were taking him to the central police station in Harare.
The MDC claims that 500 of its supporters have been arrested during the week of protests.
The opposition had been calling on Zimbabweans to take to the streets in their millions today, the last day of the demonstrations.
Mr Tsvangirai’s arrest in the capital comes after the army, police and ruling party militants were deployed to suppress the mass protests against President Robert Mugabe.
Footage obtained during the protests shows soldiers attacking protesters and tear gas being fired to disperse students.
The government obtained a new court ruling yesterday to declare the protests illegal.
Mr Tsvangirai is currently on trial for treason, accused of plotting to have President Mugabe killed.
He ran against Mr Mugabe in the 2002 elections. Many believe the result of the election was rigged in the President’s favour.
The country’s economy has almost reached standstill and reports of brutality and oppression are growing.
