The ruling Zanu PF yesterday called for the detention of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai for allegedly inciting violent protests aimed at overthrowing President Robert Mugabe, charging the mass action call constituted treason. The agitation in Zanu PF came as opposition leaders urged the nation's soldiers and police to disobey orders to crush any show of dissent against the government. “The time has now come for the security forces to make that historic choice of either being with the people or against them,” Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.
The MDC spokesman, who was elected unopposed at the partyÂ’s historic congress held weekend, said nonpartisan troops had nothing to fear under any new government, but warned that those who had been perpetrators of violence against ordinary Zimbabweans for expressing their democratic rights would be arrested, tried and jailed.
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi accused Tsvangirai of trying “to cause unrest and civil commotion” under the guise of fighting for political rights. Mohadi’s call follows another threat from the ruling Zanu PF party to Tsvangirai calling on him to desist from advocating war following his call for mass protests. The MDC has shook Mugabe's government with the threat for fresh protests to push Mugabe out of power. Mohadi said the MDC was led by “punch-drunk” puppets sponsored by the West to subvert Zimbabwe's national sovereignty.
Tsvangirai warned President Mugabe, charging “the dictator must brace himself for a long, bustling winter across the country.” The former trade union leader called on more than 15 000 supporters at a weekend conference to take part in a “sustained cold season of peaceful democratic resistance.” But Mohadi warned that the government would crush any protests.