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Mugabe warns Zim opposition
15/03/2007 07:45 - (SA)
Harare - President Robert Mugabe's government vowed to keep cracking down on dissent on Wednesday, defying international outrage over an assault that left Zimbabwe's opposition leader with a suspected fractured skull.
Images of battered opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai appearing in court after his arrest on Sunday have prompted condemnation of the Zimbabwean government from several countries including the United States (US).
But Mugabe, Zimbabwe's sole ruler since independence from Britain in 1980, showed no sign of softening his approach.
His government accused Tsvangirai, the head of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and his supporters of inciting violence to overthrow the administration and warned their campaign would end in "grief".
Information minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said: "Those who incite violence, or actually cause and participate in unleashing it, are set to pay a very heavy price, regardless of who they are."
US condemns police action
The US condemned police action against Tsvangirai and his followers as "ruthless and repressive" and regional powerhouse South Africa, which normally avoids direct comment on Zimbabwe's woes, called on Mugabe's government to respect the rule of law.
Tensions have mounted in recent weeks because of plans by Mugabe, 83, to further extend his rule.
Tsvangirai, speaking to BBC from his hospital bed, said he was attacked after arriving at a police station to check on supporters who had been detained with him on Sunday when the government broke up a planned prayer vigil.
"It was almost as if they were waiting for me," he said in remarks broadcast on SA's national radio.
"Before I could even settle down I was subjected to a lot of beatings, in fact it was random beatings, but I think the intention was to inflict as much harm as they could."
Tsvangirai's spokesperson said he was in intensive care.
"He has just had a brain scan because his skull is cracked," spokesperson William Bango said from Tsvangirai's Harare hospital, adding the opposition leader had also needed blood transfusions.
Doctors at Harare Avenues Clinic have not issued any reports on Tsvangirai's health.
Economic crisis
African Union (AU) chairperson John Kufuor said African leaders were embarrassed by the situation in Zimbabwe and perhaps could do more to help, but have met stiff resistance from Harare.
"The AU is very uncomfortable. The situation in your country is very embarrassing," Ghana's president Kufuor said in response to a question from a Zimbabwean at the Chatham House think-tank during a state visit in London.
Kufuor was heckled during his speech by Zimbabweans demanding African action against Mugabe.
The latest crackdown comes as Zimbabwe faces a deepening economic crisis with inflation at more than 1 700%, unemployment of 80% and shortages of food, fuel and foreign exchange.
Mugabe originally proposed adjusting election dates to extend his current term by two years to 2010, and then said that if necessary he would be willing to stand in elections in 2008 - meaning he could remain in office through 2014.
- Reuters
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Zimbabwe Special Report
