afrol News, 25 August - Zimbabwean police have arrested two members of parliament for Movement for Democratic Change as they were entering parliamentary building for swearing in of MPs today, MDC has said in a statement.

According to a communiqué from MDC, lawmakers Mr Shuwa Mudiwa, Member of Parliament for Mutare West and Mr Elia Jembere were arrested, fearing that more arrest could follow as country prepared for elections of parliamentary speaker.

A statement further said police have attempted to arrest Mr Elton Mangoma, who is also a representatives of MDC at the negotiations, but Mr Mangoma was rescued by other MDC MPs.

"Clearly the sinister agenda of this regime is to tilt the balance of numbers in their favour during the voting for the Speaker of Parliament," read MDC statement.

MDC spokesman Mr Nelson Chamisa said MPs have been arrested, alleging President Robert Mugabe's regime is also looking to take away a total of 15 of MDC members of parliament as part of an evil ploy to rig the elections for parliamentary speaker.

"Clearly they have chosen the path of arrogance and unilateralism that's a serious blow to confidence-building in the talks," Mr Chamisa told Reuters news agency.

Zimbabwe's parliament is meeting today for the first time in five months, since elections that unleashed a major crisis and increased president Mugabe's international isolation also with increased sanctions on Zimbabwe.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has condemned the opening of parliament fearing that parliamentary rivalry could jeopardise power-sharing talks suspended a fortnight ago.

MDC has said it will attend the swearing-in of newly-elected members on Monday, when a new speaker will also be chosen. The parliament will be officially opened on Tuesday.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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