A last minute police attempt to get today's Freedom March cancelled
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition grouping, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was arrested at his Harare home this morning, Wednesday, in a dawn raid by a squad of armed police, in an attempt to pressurise him into cancelling today's MDC Freedom March.
He was taken to Avondale Police Station, and there were fears that he would receive similar treatment to that of his last arrest, when pictures of his bruised face shocked observers around the world. However, he was released after four hours, and is said to be unharmed.
The march will go ahead at noon today, and there is already a vast police presence at its starting point, Africa Freedom Square.
A Police source told me: "Our boss, Superintendent Tanyanyiwa, blundered when he authorised the march in the first place. Mugabe's people say it must be cancelled. The idea was to bully Tsvangirai until he agreed to go on television this morning and announce the cancellation.
"That way it would appear to be his decision. And the police could continue to be seen as impartial. But it didn't work, he refused."
Party Secretary-General Tendai Biti told me: "We will march with or without police authority. We are not affected by these attempts to derail us. We will march today. People are already arriving from all parts of Harare. It is going to be a big event."
Mugabe knows he is finished. Whatever attempt he puts in place to stiffle opposition, this time he will not win. The honeymoon is over. Morgan is our man.
Posted by: Hazvie | Wednesday, 23 January 2008 at 14:28
This is not good for our country, especially now when we were pinning our hopes on the Mbeki talks. We are now back at square one. This geriatric should just go, he is past his sell-by date
Posted by: Patience | Wednesday, 23 January 2008 at 14:55
i laughed a bellyful full last night as i watched by accident the ZBC 8 pm bulletin.
police spokesperson Mandipaka was at pains in explaning the Morgan arrest or not.
Mandipaka says he was "invited for questioning" so he was not arrested.
but how can you "invite" some one at 4 am while sleeping.
surely Mandipaka u should be invited for refreser courses on lying
Posted by: martin | Thursday, 24 January 2008 at 07:02
This regime is collupsing, and this year is its WATERLOO.
Posted by: Izikiel | Friday, 25 January 2008 at 12:34
Worrying times. But we hope for better things
Posted by: David | Tuesday, 30 August 2011 at 12:51