'They'll never break my spirit'
2007-03-16 07:12
London - Zimbabwe's badly beaten opposition chief Morgan Tsvangirai vowed in a letter published here on Friday to fight on until his country is free and urged the world to maintain pressure for democratic change.
"Yes, they brutalised my flesh. But they will never break my spirit. I will soldier on until Zimbabwe is free," Tsvangirai wrote in a letter published in the British newspaper The Independent.
Tsvangirai was expected to leave hospital on Friday after being told by doctors he is out of danger and had suffered no brain damage after being arrested for trying to attend a banned demonstration on Sunday.
Images of a badly beaten Tsvangirai and his supporters have triggered worldwide condemnation, particularly from Mugabe's arch foes in London and Washington, but he showed no signs of softening his stance.
"Although (President) Robert Mugabe had banned all opposition political party meetings and rallies, I had never anticipated that he could go as far as ruthlessly crushing a peaceful prayer meeting," Tsvangirai wrote.
He described how the events unfolded and how he was beaten.
Respect, professionalism now lost
"As I lie on my bed recuperating, I grieve at how our national institutions, like the police force, have been criminalised by Mugabe and converted into an extension of his ruling party," he wrote.
"For many years, Zimbabweans were known for their respect for the police.... That respect and professionalism is now lost due to crass political opportunism," he said.
"Serious mistrust between the police force and the public now rules," he warned.
"It shall take our nation decades of retraining the police and a radical shift in mindset to rebuild that trust...
"I seek a comprehensive transformation of our society to restore democracy and the rule of law," he wrote.
"Democratic change in Zimbabwe is within sight. Far from killing my spirit, the scars they brutally inflicted on me have re-energised me. I seek no martyrdom.
"I only seek a new dispensation in my country in which citizens live freely in prosperity and not in fear of their rulers.
"Of course we need the support of the world, and please do support us in achieving democratic change in Zimbabwe. I am thankful for the support we got from the international community during our ordeal.
"I am heartened by the messages of solidarity we got from all over the world.... Let the pressure be maintained on the regime."