Cape Town — Zimbabwean officials have blocked Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and other top party officials from leaving the country to attend this weekend's summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the MDC said that government intelligence agents had seized the passports of Tsvangirai, MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti and the party's secretary for international relations, Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro. The three leaders were detained briefly at Harare International Airport before their passports were taken and they were prevented from boarding their aircraft.
The MDC said the government's action showed "that the regime is not sincere on the dialogue process."
Powersharing talks between the MDC, the ruling Zanu-PF and the MDC splinter group led by Arthur Mutambara stalled earlier this week, reportedly over Tsvangirai's insistence on a written guarantee.
The issue of who will represent Zimbabwe at the SADC summit, which is being held in Johannesburg, is contentious. Already Botswana has said that President Ian Khama will boycott the meeting if President Robert Mugabe is invited as Zimbabwe's head of state.
Update: News agencies reported that the MDC leaders' passports were returned later on Thursday.
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Well it was expected that the Mugabe operatives would have done this because they want to continue tyranny and are not interested in democracy...the SADC meeting should be boycotted indefinately until Morgan Tsvangirai and his top party officials can attend. Uncle Bob and his cronies should be told that they cannot attend unless the other group is in attendance. SADC should not receive uncle Bob and his cronies anyway until this matter is amicably resolved. Uncle Bob needs his ....infront of the ICC to answer charges
GOOD POINT!! WHAT SANE PERSON IS INTERESTED IN DEMON CRAZY??
You know its one thing to be subtle its yet another to be so blatant and arrogant, to know that the world is watching and still pull a move like this is baffling. I think Bob is not incharge anymore, because why would he embarrass himself so.
I suspect so. RMG is a rational person. He would not sanction such dastard and ill considered actions. ZANU has been infiltrated by mdc CIO ... out to destroy the TALKS. Do you agree Prem. Dont forget to say .."lunatic".
So the murder of 20,000 people was rational? Actually... the murder of the 100+ was. How else could he force people to vote for him...
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