The Daily Telegraph
17th February 2001
By David Blair in Harare
ZIMBABWE’S opposition leader faced the prospect of abandoning his challenge to President Robert Mugabe and spending up to 14 years in jail after he was charged with incitement to violence yesterday.
A ferocious crackdown has been launched against all opponents of Mr Mugabe, real or imagined, and the appearance of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, in a Harare magistrate’s court marked the most serious escalation of this campaign. In a five minute hearing, Mr Tsvangirai was charged under the notorious Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, which was passed by the British colonial government to jail black nationalists, including Mr Mugabe, and gives the authorities sweeping powers to act against any dissidents.
The action arose from a speech by Mr Tsvangirai at an MDC rally last September. Before an audience of 25,000 in Harare, he said: “We say to Robert Mugabe, if you don’t want to go peacefully, we will remove you violently. This country cannot afford Mugabe for one day longer.” These remarks dismayed many of Mr Tsvangirai’s closest supporters and increased concerns about his erratic judgment. They handed the government an excuse to arrest him at any time.
If convicted, Mr Tsvangirai could face a five year ban on holding public office. This would prevent him from running against Mr Mugabe in the presidential election due early next year. Mr Tsvangirai was granted bail and his High Court trial was set for April 30. Gibson Sibanda, deputy leader of the MDC, was charged with the same offence last week after he allegedly urged a crowd of supporters to attack members of the ruling Zanu-PF party. Both of the MDC’s leading figures could soon be banned from holding office, a move that would call into question the very future of the party.
But Mr Tsvangirai’s supporters argue that he has no case to answer. David Coltart, justice spokesman for the MDC, said: “In the context of his wider speech, he has a very sound defence in law. This was not a threat of violence but a warning from history that governments who hold power through violence and illegal means are often overthrown violently in the end. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.”
Mr Coltart said that Zanu-PF supporters, including Mr Mugabe himself, have made a stream of inflammatory statements and no action has been taken against them. At an official function last March, the President said: “Those who cause disunity among our people must watch out because death will befall them.”
The opposition says that the charges against Mr Tsvangirai do not arise from any real concerns over his behaviour, but are part of Mr Mugabe’s ruthless effort to stamp out his opponents and hold power at whatever cost.