Zim police shoot man at rally

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Harare - A Zimbabwe opposition activist was shot dead on Sunday by riot police after a planned mass anti-government demonstration in Harare was thwarted, police and an opposition spokesperson said.

"One person has been shot dead by the police and three police officers are detained at Harare hospital after sustaining serious injuries during an attack by MDC thugs this afternoon near Gazaland shopping centre in Highfields," national police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzujena said in a statement.

Bvuzdijena said the man, identified by opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) organising secretary Elias Mudzuri as Gift Tandare, died instantly after being shot in the chest during clashes with police officers.

Bvudzijena said a group of MDC supporters hurled stones and teargas at a group of riot police patrolling the mall and defied orders to disperse.

Shot the leader

"Warning shots were fired and the group still advanced," he said. "The police shot one male adult who appeared to be the leader of the group in the chest."

He also confirmed the arrest of MDC leaders Morgan Tsvagirai and Arthur Mutambara and several party officials and members he said were "going around inciting people to come and indulge in violent activities."

The MDC condemned the killing saying it was a sign of panic by the embattled government of President Robert Mugabe who is presiding over an economic meltdown characterised by four-figure inflation with the majority of the population living below the poverty threshold.

"Police are now using live ammunition on innocent unarmed people and a party activist, Gift Tandare, was the earliest casualty," the party said in a statement signed by Mudzuri.

"The regime has become vicious on all people demanding political change in Zimbabwe. The arrest of the MDC officials is a sign that the dictatorship is panicking over the people's collective demand for a new Zimbabwe."

Lawyers were late on Sunday trying to work out where the MDC leaders were being held.

- AFP