Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Arrested For Election Violence

Senior Zimbabwean opposition figure Tendai Biti has been arrested as he tried to flee to neighboring Zambia to seek asylum, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Biti’s lawyer Mlilo says man in silver Mercedes fired the shots.
In a separate incident, Mlilo says Biti’s brother – who stayed with their mother after her home surrounded – was abducted after dropping off his family.
He says a “rogue junta” is responsible, not the police.

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) August 7, 2018

Naija News understands that Biti’s attempt to seek political asylum in Zambia came after an alleged attempt on his life on Monday‚ during which Mlilo says a gunman in an unmarked silver Mercedes Benz opened fire on Biti’s car.

That incident occurred after the home of Biti’s elderly mother was repeatedly surrounded by unknown men‚ and his younger brother was allegedly abducted after dropping his wife and children at an undisclosed location.

BREAKING: Lawyer of Zimbabwean opposition politician #TendaiBiti says Biti has been arrested by Zim police at Zim border with Zambia -where he was seeking political asylum.
Document tweeted seems to indicate what he stands accused of: declaring Chamisa President, public violence pic.twitter.com/v1ZI1c35sH

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) August 8, 2018

As yet‚ there is no confirmation of the arrest‚ nor its basis‚ by the Zimbabwean police.

Police documents supplied by Mlilo‚ however‚ suggest that authorities were investigating Biti for “unofficially and unlawfully” declaring MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa the duly elected president of Zimbabwe‚ in alleged violation of Zimbabwean electoral law.

Tendai Biti arrested at Chirundu border post on his way to Zambia#ZimElections2018 #ElectionsZW #Zimbabwe #ZimDecides2018 #TendaiBiti #Biti pic.twitter.com/LFkBLKmO7Q

— Povo News (@povonewstv) August 8, 2018

He also stands accused of public violence for “acting in consent with his accomplices still at large while armed with firearms‚ ammunition‚ stones‚ alleged to have committed act of violence and proceeded to burn various vehicles and one bus at the ZANU-PF provincial headquarters”.

In other words‚ Zimbabwean police appear to be blaming Biti for the violence that flared up in Zimbabwe after the country’s disputed election results were announced and ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa was named as president.

#TendaiBiti your rightful place in the fight for Human rights awaits you. Yours is not behind bars. It's not yet Uhuru but we do know that your crime is defending and protecting the vote. Their charge will fall on its head as it holds no water. #FreeTendaiBitiNow pic.twitter.com/eLgZ2oxYeC

— Tariro🇿🇼 (@tawana_tariro) August 8, 2018