Zimbabwean opposition leader hospitalized

updated 6:17 p.m. ET March 14, 2007

HARARE, Zimbabwe - The country’s main opposition leader said Wednesday that police beat him repeatedly in the head, back, knees and arm and that he lost a lot of blood in an attack that seemed intended “to inflict as much harm as they could.”

Morgan Tsvangirai, who remains hospitalized, underwent a brain scan, and his lawyer said he may have suffered a skull fracture and internal bleeding as a result of police beatings.

Tsvangirai, 54, and more than 40 other opposition figures were arrested at a prayer meeting Sunday in the latest crackdown on dissent by President Robert Mugabe’s security forces and political supporters.

Tsvangirai told the British Broadcasting Corp. in an interview from his hospital bed that police beat him on the head, and that he suffered body blows to the knees and back, and that his arm was broken. He said he “lost a lot of blood” and that he was given two pints.

“I was subjected to a lot of beatings, and random beatings, but I think the intention was to inflict as much harm as they could,” he told the BBC. “I suffered injuries on the head, six stitches, and body blows and a broken arm. ... Overall, I think the most serious injury was the head injury because I’ve lost a lot of blood.”

Mugabe visits same hospital
Mugabe arrived at the private hospital where Tsvangirai was being treated to visit his sister, Sabena Mugabe, who was admitted for an undisclosed ailment, hospital staff said.

Tsvangirai was in a hospital unit where he could be more closely monitored and was awaiting the results of a brain scan for a suspected skull fracture, said Tafadza Mugabe, one of his lawyers.

At a brief court appearance Tuesday, Tsvangirai’s right eye was swollen shut and his head partly shaved to reveal crudely stitched gashes.

Police used tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition to crush Sunday’s gathering by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, a coalition of opposition, church and civic groups, in Harare’s western township of Highfield.

Police shot and killed one opposition activist, identified as Gift Tandare. Two mourners were slightly injured Tuesday at his funeral in skirmishes with police, witnesses said.

Mugabe has said he is in favor of a plan to extend his term in office by two years, to 2010, in an effort to delay a showdown between rival factions within his ruling party over the choice of his successor.

Under the plan, the country would not hold a presidential election in 2008 and instead combine that election with one for parliament in 2010 to save on the cost of polling and ease the administration of the election. The main opposition party opposes any plan that would delay the presidential election.

Activists released from hospital
At least 34 activists were released from the private hospital in Harare early Wednesday and reunited with their families.

Those freed were told to return to the Harare magistrates’ court when it opened Wednesday, but amid chaos at the court no proceedings were held, and the activists returned to their homes.

Beatrice Mtetwa, a lawyer for the group, and police were not present at the court.

“If they want us, the police can call us,” she said.

Tsvangirai attorney Innocent Chagonda said police withdrew from Harare’s Avenues Clinic later Wednesday. He said a High Court order issued late Monday ordered police to charge or release the opposition leaders and activists by noon on Tuesday. None was charged.

“As far as we are concerned, they are now free men,” he said.

Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change, and colleagues from other opposition and civic groups were ferried in ambulances and buses from the magistrates’ court to the hospital. Many sustained severe bruising and internal injuries after the police raid on the prayer meeting that authorities had declared illegal.

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