Mugabe promises "war" if he loses run-off; Oppn. leader arrested, charged with treason
Ahead of the presidential run-off on June 27, the Zimbabwean government has launched a crackdown on the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, arresting their leaders and accusing them of "treason," even as President Robert Mugabe threatened that there would be a "war" if the present regime was voted out of power.
Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, in collusion with the police authorities, are reportedly carrying out a campaign of violence and intimidation aimed at striking fear in the heart of the people who are set to vote for the second time.
Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai claims he had rightfully won the first round of election on March 29, but was denied forming a government as Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) said that he had won 47.9 percent of the vote, beating Zimbabwe's President Mugabe by 4.7 percent, but not enough to escape a run-off or a second round contest with the veteran leader, who has led Zimbabwe with an iron fist since 1980.
In spite of the court's order that the opposition party be allowed to campaign in the state capital Harare and elsewhere, the police authorities have blatantly flouted the order, obstructing MDC's election campaign and arresting MDC supporters.
While Tsvangirai has been already arrested three times ever since his return to Zimbabwe last month, sparking rumors that his life may be at risk, MDC's secretary general Tendai Biti has been detained by the police in an unknown location and slapped with treason charges.
"He was wanted in connection with the premature announcement of results before the official announcement of results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission," said police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena, adding that if Biti is found guilty of "treason," he would face the "death penalty or life in prison."
Biti had suggested earlier that Tsvangirai be declared the rightful president as he had won the highest number of votes in the April election.
MDC has dismissed the charges against Biti as ludicrous, saying he only has "the best intent for the country."
"Tendai Biti is a proud Zimbabwean who has been at the forefront of the struggle for a more democratic and prosperous country. He has at heart only the best intent for the country, its sovereignty and its people," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.
"Indeed, if any person's commitment to Zimbabwe should be questioned, it is those individual's in Mugabe's regime who have orchestrated the country's slide into dictatorship, economic ruin and impoverishment," he added.
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