Harare - The Zimbabwean opposition leader, the Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, was found guilty by the High Court yesterday of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe. He was also convicted of sending men for military training with the purpose of overthrowing the government, and of possessing arms of war.
The 77-year-old Methodist cleric, a veteran African nationalist who was once an ally of Mr Mugabe's, remained expressionless in the dock as Judge Esmael Chatikobo announced his verdict. Nearly 30 years ago, in the same courtroom, Sithole was jailed for six years for plotting to assassinate the then whiteminority prime minister of Rhodesia, Ian Smith.
Sithole, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was convicted of planning to blow up Mr Mugabe's motorcade in August of 1995.