Zimbabwe opposition leader held by police at roadblock

Published on Wednesday 4 June 2008 20:21

MORGAN Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's opposition leader, was detained by police yesterday as he campaigned for the country's presidential election.

A convoy carrying the Movement for Democratic Change leader and his entourage were stopped at a police roadblock and taken to a police station in Lupane, north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city.

No-one had been charged last night. Nelson Chamisa, a party spokesman, said: "It appears they want to disrupt our campaign programme."

Despite threats to his life, Mr Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe 12 days ago to face the president, Robert Mugabe, in the run-off election on 27 June.

A spokesman for Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change said he had planned on spending the week campaigning in western Matabeleland.

At least two of Mr Tsvangirai's rallies since he returned last month have been banned on security grounds by police, who said they could not guarantee his safety.

Rights groups have criticised the violence and intimidation in the run-up to the vote. At least 58 opposition supporters have been killed. Thousands have been driven from their homes, especially in rural areas, where Mr Mugabe lost much support in the first round of voting.