By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 February 2007

The Tsvangirai MDC reports that violent police units used water canons and tear gas to block their rally on Sunday despite a High Court order granting them permission. There are unconfirmed reports that at least 3 people died in the ensuing chaos but information is still being gathered. Over 120 people are reported to have been arrested. The party’s information officer MP Nelson Chamisa released a statement saying there were running battles between unarmed MDC supporters and armed riot police. He said the police cordoned off the venue and indiscriminately fired live ammunition, teargas and water cannons around the Machipisa shopping centre in the High-density suburb of Highfield. MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai, vice president Thokozani Khupe and members of their “Liberation team” were blocked from entering the stadium by police.

The statement also said: “police ordered the shopping center closed, searched people’s homes and indiscriminately assaulted any person seen outside their home. The terror campaign spread to all high density suburbs in Harare where running battles are still being fought between the people and the security forces.” According to the MDC, 2 of disabled supporters, Angeline Masaisai and Clara Muzoda, were seriously assaulted near the venue and 279 more are receiving treatment at Harare hospitals after clashes with the police.

Several Tsvangirai MDC officials were arrested ahead of the event and are still in custody. Among them are secretary general Tendai Biti who was arrested on Saturday at the High Court on allegations that he organised demonstrations which took place Friday. MP Paul Madzore and Last Maengahama are also in custody.

The party had applied for permission from the High Court to hold this rally launching their 2008 presidential campaign despite Robert Mugabe’s plan to move the elections to 2010. High Court judge Anna Maria Gowora ordered the police not to interfere with the rally but this was ignored. Jessie Majome and Selby Hwacha, lawyers for the Tsvangirai MDC said they were making another urgent application seeking the release of Biti and the others in police custody.