Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai took the stand for the first time in his treason trial yesterday and denied he ever plotted to kill President Robert Mugabe - a man he said was once his hero.
Mr Tsvangirai, whose trial has fuelled political tension in Zimbabwe, told Harare High Court he had long seen Mr Mugabe as a hero of the southern African country's fight against white domination.
"I regarded Mr Mugabe as my hero and the hero of the liberation struggle," Mr Tsvangirai said in response to a question by his lead defence counsel, renowned South African human rights lawyer Mr George Bizos.
Asked if he ever plotted to kill Mr Mugabe or overthrow his government, the 51-year-old former trade unionist replied: "No, my Lord." Mr Tsvangirai - who said he was a district political commissar in the ruling ZANU-PF party in the 1980s - told how he fell out with Mr Mugabe over policies restricting trade union activities and the government's handling of the economy.
Mr Tsvangirai said his opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was formed in 1999 by civic groups, led by the labour movement, after Mr Mugabe had refused to respond to demands for constitutional and economic reforms.
But he denied that the party, the most potent challenge to Mr Mugabe since independence from Britain in 1980, was sponsored by Western powers or Zimbabwe's white minority as Mr Mugabe has said.
Mr Tsvangirai's trial has thrown a spotlight on MDC charges of political repression in Zimbabwe, which is grappling with a severe economic crisis that many critics blame on mismanagement under Mr Mugabe's nearly 24-year rule.
Mr Tsvangirai has said the charges against him were invented in a bid to crush his political challenge to Mr Mugabe.
The resumption of proceedings against him cast doubts on hopes for real dialogue between the MDC and Mr Mugabe's ZANU-PF, which analysts say is necessary if Zimbabwe is to resolve its serious political and economic problems.
It also flies in the face of optimistic declarations by South African President Thabo Mbeki after he met separately last month with Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai in a bid to resolve the crisis. Mr Tsvangirai appeared in court accompanied by his wife Susan and dozens of MDC officials. Unlike earlier court hearings, where police turned out in force to prevent possible protests, security was low-key. - (Reuters)