afrol News, 28 March - The leader of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has not been given the chance to nurture the wounds he had sustained during a recent crackdown on opposition activists by baton-wielding police. Zimbabwean police today again raided the headquarters of the MDC in Harare and detained Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters.

George Sibotshiwe, the spokesperson for the MDC, said the police raid occurred at midday while the party's officials were engage in meetings. After the raid, the police whisked away all the staff, including Mr Tsvangirai, on board a truck and drove them to an unknown location.

No reasons have been given for the latest police action.

Few hours later, the police released the MDC leader after he asked them to allow him to see his doctor. Mr Tsvangirai sustained serious head injuries during torture while detained earlier in March. He only recently was admitted home from hospital after those injuries.

There are however rising concerns about those arrested along with him, which are yet to be released. And it is not clear whether the police will pick Mr Tsvangirai again. The MDC's lawyers are reportedly busy in their effort to file a court application, asking for the urgent release of the detained MDC members, including some senior party officials arrested last night by state security agents.

MDC officials said their leader is expected to address the press on the heightened campaign of violence and harassment by the Mugabe-led regime.

On 11 March, Mr Tsvangirai was among dozens of opposition activists that were arrested and manhandled by security forces as they gather for a prayer rally in Harare. The attack attracted wide international condemnation but President Robert Mugabe said the opposition should expect a crackdown if they don't desist from activities that destabilise the nation.

The renewed attack on the opposition came at a time leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) convened "an emergency summit" to discuss the deteriorating state of human and political rights in Zimbabwe. Mr Mugabe accepted to attend the summit.

SADC leaders have been blamed for not addressing the Zimbabwean crisis in their recent meeting in Lesotho. However, Zimbabwe's traditional backers in the region decided to turn the tide against it. The Zambian President, Levy Mwanawas described the crisis as a "sinking Titanic" while South Africa's Foreign Ministry called it "meltdown". Vaguer protests have been issued by the governments of Mauritius, Mozambique and Tanzania - all SADC members.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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