MPs arrested in bid to 'cripple' party ahead of crucial vote

Published on Friday 11 March 2011 15:12

Police in Zimbabwe have arrested two more MPs from Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote for a new speaker.

Security forces loyal to president Robert Mugabe, 87, appear to be under orders to lock up as many MDC MPs as possible to ensure one of the president's henchmen secures the powerful post early next week.

For the first time, Zimbabwean MPs elected an MDC speaker in August 2008. But Lovemore Moyo's appointment was nullified by the supreme court on Thursday, in a huge blow to the former opposition party.

Constitutional law experts say a new speaker must be elected next time parliament sits. The vote could be held as early as Tuesday.

MPs Shepherd Mushonga and Costin Muguti were arrested hours after MDC energy minister Elton Mangoma was taken in, the party said. Mr Mangoma, a close ally of Mr Tsvangirai, the prime minister, was remanded in custody yesterday after the state indicted him for trial on charges of criminal abuse of his office over a fuel deal - which almost certainly means he will not be able to vote next week.

MDC MP Rodgers Tazviona is also still in custody. But in a small victory for Mr Tsvangirai's party, the High Court finally granted bail to MP Douglas Mwonzora, arrested three weeks ago on charges of inciting violence. Mr Mushonga was also granted bail yesterday on charges of "stealing quarry stones". But Mr Muguti, who is being charged with violence, was last night still in custody in central Gokwe.

Yesterday state media - still loyal to the president - said it was "far from certain" that the MDC party would be able to get enough votes to retain the position of speaker.

"They (Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF] want to cripple our legs," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said last night.