The Zimbabwe Situation

The following is a list of MDC senior officials and supporters who have been arrested since the parliamentary election in 2000.

MDC President. Is currently on trial on tramped up charges of plotting to assassinate Mugabe. He is jointly charged with the party’s Secretary-General, Welshman Ncube, and the party’s Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Renson Gasela.

On 25 July, 2002, President Tsvangirai was summoned to the law and order department of Harare Central Police Station, where he was charged under Section 5 of the notorious Public Order and Security Act (POSA) over a remark allegedly made at a rally in Gwanda on 26 May 2002, where he is alleged to have said “ We are certainly going to deal with Mugabe, but we cannot reveal our plans because nobody skins the foul-smelling civet cat in public.” President Tsvangirai denies saying these words.

In 2000, government tried to use the now repealed Law and Order (Maintenance) Act to fix him after the State had charged Tsvangirai with treason for allegedly threatening to remove Mugabe from office violently when he addressed a rally at Rufaro Stadium. The sections of the Act were found unconstitutional by the courts.

The MDC’s vice-president was taken to court on charges of inciting violence at a rally at White City Stadium in September 2001. Sibanda had said that MDC structures were being prevented from holding meetings because of constant disruption as a result of attacks by Zanu PF youth. Initially he was charged under the Law and Order Maintenance Act. He first appeared in court on 15/05/02. The charges were finally dropped before plea in January 2003.

MDC Secretary General and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo North-East. Arrested on 11/03/02 at Plumtree Border Town and remanded on bail on charges of high treason on 12 March 2003. It is alleged that together with the party’s president, Morgan Tsvangirai and Shadow Minister of Agriculture, they plotted to assassinate Mugabe. He is currently on trial in the High Court of Zimbabwe.

MDC’s National Treasurer and Member of Parliament for Lobengula-Magwegwe Constituency. Arrested in November 2001 and charged for alleged involvement in the murder of Cain Nkala. His house had been searched prior to his arrest, while he was in Harare. He is accused of having encouraged MDC youth to kill all war veterans, civil servants and Zanu PF activists, and given 1.4 million South African rands to MDC youth who were instructed to murder Nkala. He was held in custody illegally until late December 2001 when he was finally released following High Court orders.

He had been out of custody on $100 000.00 bail since late December 2001, and had been reporting to the police twice a week, but was arrested again on 3 August 2002 from a hospital bed at Matei Dei Hospital in Bulawayo where one of his eyes was removed. He was kept in police custody over the weekend despite letters from his doctors stating that his eye would become septic and affect the brain if he was detained in any other conditions other than in the hospital. He was taken back to hospital after intervention by his lawyers.

Dulini-Ncube never recovered from an extreme diabetic condition he suffered while in custody. The case is supposed to be heard in court on 11 November, 2002, and to arrest him before the trial date, when he out on bail on the pretext that he is to be arraigned before a Judge the following Monday is simply legal harassment. The trial is currently taking place in the High Court.

Nyathi, Paul Themba
MDC’s Secretary for Information and Publicity and Member of Parliament for Gwanda North, Nyathi was in August 2002 summoned by the police to give a warned and cautioned statement for allegedly calling for a violent overthrow of Mugabe at an MDC rally in Gwanda.

MDC’s Secretary for Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South. Arrested on 4/10/00 after his house was searched, accused of hiding broadcasting material. His 3 bodyguards were arrested on 8/09/01. Another bodyguard arrested on 11/09/01. In November 2001, Coltart’s plane was forced to land after taking off from Charles Prince Airport, and he was detained for about one and a half hours.

Police called at his house on 16/02/02 and accused him of having fired a pistol at Zanu PF youth. Appeared in court on 18/02/02 and charged with firing a short in public. Remanded on bail to 22/06/02

MDC’s Secretary for Economic Affairs and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Biti was arrested on 8 February 2003 together with 11 other MDC supporters on their way back from Mabvuku where he and Madzore were supposed to address an MDC rally, which had been stopped by police. Spent two nights in police cells, and discharged without charge on 10 February 2003.

MDC’s Secretary for Research and policy and Member of Parliament for Harare North, Stevenson was arrested in Harare on 10 February 2003. At the time of compiling this report, the reasons for her arrest had not yet been established.

Trudy Stevenson was among the 59 women arrested on 14 February 2003 at the United Nations Offices in Nkwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare where they had gone to present a letter encouraging love and peace to UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan. The women were detained for two hours at the Harare Central Police Station before being released without charges.

Gasela, Member of Parliament for Gweru Rural, Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Secretary for Midlands South Province, is jointly facing treason charges with President Tsvangirai and the Party Secretary General, Welshman Ncube for allegedly hiring Ari-Ben Menashe to assassinate Mugabe. He is currently on trial on this charge.

Member of Parliament for Hatfield and Shadow Minister of Finance. Arrested after he was found with a gun belonging to security guards guarding his house, who had left the weapon at the premises. He had intended to inform the police about the fire-arm. Cleared by the courts. However, his licenced personal fire-arm was confiscated by the police for no reason in September 2001.

Picked up from his home by the police on the night of 1 September 2002 in connection with the bombing of the VOP offices in Harare. Police claim they received an anonymous letter linking Mashakada to the bombing of the radio station offices. He was detained in police cells for two nights, but was discharged before plea for lack of evidence.

Executive Mayor of Harare who was elected on an MDC ticket. He, together with his deputy, several officials of the City of Harare and some residents, was arrested while addressing residents on the problems facing the City of Harare in Mabvuku on 11 January 2003. He was released without charged for lack of evidence.

Shadow Minister and Secretary for Labour, Mupariwa was picked at her Marimba Park home and arrested on 20 January 2003 on allegations that she was involved in the plans for an NCA organized mass stay away. She was detained at the Harare Central Police Station and released without charges on 22 January 2003.

MDC’s Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s. Has been arrested on 6 occasions on allegations of causing violence. On 14 September 2001, Sikhala was arrested for allegedly making abusive phone calls to Jonathan Moyo, the Junior Minister of Information in Mugabe’s cabinet. He was charged for contravening a section of the Posts and Telecommunications Act, but has since been tried and acquitted.

Sikhala was arrested again on 9 November 2002 on allegations of fraud as he was said to have abused the parliamentary vehicle scheme to buy a vehicle for a third party. He was cleared by the courts of law when the matter went on trial.

Sikhala was arrested again on 13 January 2003 on allegations of having been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which were later altered to that of wanting to topple the government. He was severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured. He is out on bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the courts.

Member of Parliament for Nkayi. Arrested in October 2001 on allegations of causing despondency and alarm at a rally in Bulawayo. He will appear in court on 3/06/02.

Bhebhe was detained for 7 days on 6/02/02 after he was assaulted by members of the army and Zanu PF supporters, and has been remanded out of custody on $1000 bail to 6/05/02.

Bhebhe was arrested again on putting up posters which read “Hoot, Enough is Enough” in Bulawayo on 3 January 2003. He was charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), detained until his appearance in court on 6 January, where the charges were dropped as he the court found that he had not committed a crime.

Member of Parliament for Makokoba in Bulawayo. Arrested and appeared in court in October 2001 on allegations that she had caused alarm and despondency at an MDC rally in Bulawayo.

Arrested again together with 7 other MDC activists for participating in the Day of the Africa Child on 25 May 2002 at Stanley Square Stadium in Bulawayo and charged under POSA.

Member of the MDC National Executive and Member of Parliament for Zengeza. He was acquitted in case in which he is alleged to have made abusive phone calls to Jonathan Moyo.

Musekiwa was arrested on another trumped up charge of abusing the parliamentary vehicle scheme, but was cleared by the courts.

Chaibva, Gabriel
MDC’s Shadow Minister of Local Government and Member of Parliament for Sunningdale, Chaibva was arrested on 8 February, 2003 in Hwange with four other MDC officials while attending a seminar organized for MDC councilors. Released without charge the same day.

Member of Parliament for Bulilimamangwe North. Arrested in April 2001 for allegedly defaming President Mugabe. Detained over night in Gwanda after being picked up from home by heavily armed men led by Boysen Mathema. Remanded six times, but name suddenly struck off the remand list.

Arrested again in October 2001 by 12 armed men led by Sibanda, initially on murder charges, later altered to kidnapping. Held in several police camps for 4 days – tortured, harassed and threatened while detained - and appeared in court on the 5^th day. Defamation charge was revived to strengthen the kidnapping case.

Eveline Masaiti
Member of Parliament for Mutasa and MDC’s Shadow Minister of Gender, Youth, and Culture, Masaiti was among the 59 women arrested on 14 February 2003 at the United Nations Offices in Nkwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare where they had gone to present a letter encouraging love and peace to UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan. The women were detained for two hours at the Harare Central Police Station before being released without charges.

A senior MDC official who was part of the MDC team to the aborted MDC-Zanu PF talks, Makone was arrested in Hwange with four other MDC officials while attending a seminar organized for MDC councilors on 8 February 2003. Released without charge the same day.

Member of Parliament for Mbare East, and the MDC’s organising secretary for Harare Province. Arrested soon after the June 2000 parliamentary elections, being falsely accused of having beaten up a Zanu PF supporter. Detained for 4 days, but released without being charged for lake of evidence.

Arrested on 30 September 2002 for alleged involvement in the murder of Zanu PF activist, Ali Khan Mangengwa, who was shot dead by unknown persons in Mbare.

Member of Parliament for Glen View, Madzore was arrested in January 2002 for allegedly transporting from Mbare MDC youths who are alleged to have beaten up Zanu PF .

Madzore was arrested again on 12 January 2003 and beaten by drunken special constabularies. He was tortured while in police holding cells., but later released without being charged.

Arrested again on 8 February 2003 together with 11 other MDC supporters on their way back from Mabvuku where he and Biti were supposed to address an MDC rally, which had been stopped by police. Spent two nights in police cells, and discharged without charge on 10 February 2003.

Member of Parliament for Hwange West. Arrested on 6/02/02 after reporting the attack on his property to police. 15 other people, including the MP’s relatives, arrested in connection with the attack, and MP paid bail totaling $35 000.00. MP is currently out on bail

Nyoni, Peter

Member of Parliament for Hwange East. Arrested in October 2001 for allegedly causing violence, but charge was later dropped.

Arrested again on 6/02/02 in Nkayi together with hon. Bhebhe. Is out on bail, and will appear in court on 3/06/02.

Member of Parliament for Seke. Arrested after the Charakupa Business Centre attack when he was forced to produce a gun to disperse Zanu PF youth who had surrounded him, but was cleared by the courts.

Arrested again after another incident at New Gada in Ruwa, where he was forced by the situation to produce a gun to scare off . Cleared by the court.

Arrested on 29 September 2002 after he was seen taking pictures of the scene at Nemaramba School Polling Station, where people were being told to queue in a queue for people who could not cast their vote on their own and needed assistance. The people assisted to vote would be given maize after having been assisted to vote. Bennett was charged with taking pictures illegally during the council elections and accused for practicing “journalism” without accreditation.

Sekai Makwavarara
Deputy Mayor of Harare, and councilor for a ward in Mabvuku, Makwavarara, was arrested together with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting in Mabvuku.

MDC Provincial chairman for Masvingo Province. Arrested on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Zanu PF activist, Gibson Masarira in Zaka during the run-up to the March 2002 presidential elections. Is out of custody on Z$10 000.00 bail. Arrested on 19 August 2002 for allegedly breaching his bail conditions after his car was seen outside Mapari resort area without police permission. His bail conditions are that he should not move outside the resort area without police permission. Interestingly it was only his car which is also driven by other people, which police claim to have seen in Chipinge, and not himself.

MDC Chairman for Chitungwiza Province. Arrested on 2 September 2002 for allegedly bombing Voice of the People radio station offices. Released the following day without being charged.

Charged with treason on 14 August 2002 for allegedly trying to subvert a constitutional government using unlawful means. Chamisa is said to have told an indoor meeting at Mbare West MP, Dunmore Makuwaza’s house that people should be ready for mass action on 14 August 2002. Chamisa is the MDC ‘s National Youth Chairman. He is being charged under section 5 (2) (a) of the Public Order and Security Act. The police at Harare Central Police Station record a warned and cautioned statement before they release him, without indicating when Chamisa will appear in court in connection with the case.

Chamisa has another case pending in the courts, in which he is being accused of inciting public violence during the run-up to the presidential election. He was initially charged with breaching the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, which has since been abolished and replaced by POSA

Mashonaland Central Provincial Vice-Chairman, Chigonero was arrested on 6 February 2003 in Mvurwi and taken to Bindura police station on trumped up charges of mobilizing youths to disrupt cricket matches. He was also said to have offered to transport the youths to Harare in his mini-bus, which, however, he sold last year.

Chigonero appeared before Bindura magistrates’ court on 8 February 2003 and was denied bail.

An MDC official in Manicaland. Arrested on 12 May 2002 for allegedly organizing an illegal rally. Released two days later without being charged.

MDC candidate for Charter Estate seat in Chimanimani in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

Arrested on 22 July 2002 from his Chitungwiza home for alleged involvement in the petrol-bombing of Vengai Mukurunge’s house in Buhera on 12 July. Initially taken to St. Mary’s Police Station, but transferred to Murambinda Police Station after two day. He is severely tortured, but later released without being charged.

Councilor for Avondale, Harare, was manhandled by eight policemen outside Town House, handcuffed and to a ramp at the main gate for about ten minutes before he was taken to Harare Central Police Station when police dispersed residents who had come to meeting called by the Mayor of Harare on 29 January 2003.

The late MDC Youth Provincial chairman Harare Province, Mukwsi and 11 other MDC activists were abducted by CIO operatives and police and dumped in Gonarezhou National Park after their release from police custody after they had been arrested for allegedly murdering Bernard Gara, a Zanu PF activist in January 2001. They were severely tortured during their detention. They were initially granted but later set free after it was proved they were not involved in the murder.

On 30 November 2002, Mukwasi and other MDC activists were arrested at a cricket match in Harare for distributing literature with evidence of Zanu PF brutality. They were severely tortured and leased without being charged. Mukwasi became ill after the November 2001 torture, and passed away on 3 February 2003.

Aspiring MDC candidate for Ward 30 Chipinge North. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

MDC candidate for Chipinge North’s Ward 10 in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

Aspiring MDC candidate for Masimbe Ward in Chipinge South in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

Candidate in the 2002 local government election in Manicaland. Arrested on allegations of involvement in the burning of 3 government tractors at a government complex in Chipinge. Bieng charged with malicious injury to property.

Headman in Chibuwe and MDC candidate for Mutovoti area in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

MDC aspiring candidate for Ward 16 Chipinge South. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

Provincial Information and Publicity officer for Manicaland, arrested on 16 May, 2002 for questioning the conduct of a police officer after an MDC truck ferrying people to a rally at Chibuwe Stadium in Chipinge South.

Spooner, Simon
Coltart’s campaign manager, Spooner was arrested and held for 5 weeks for alleged involvement in the murder of Cain Nkala. The charges were later dropped.

MDC chairman for Ward 38 of Kuwadzana, Harare. He was abducted by Zanu PF youths on 20 January 2003 and taken into their base at Kuwadzana 5 shopping center, from where he was transferred to Goromonzi police station where he was severely tortured. He was forced to drink urine during his ordeal with the police. He was released without being charged on 27 January 2003.

Armed police, and other persons in civilian clothes broke into his Kuwadzana house at about mid-night on 24 January 2003 and took him to Goromonzi Police Station were he was severely tortured. He was asked to reveal MDC’s campaign strategy for the Kuwadzana by-election while being tortured. On 26 January 12003, he was blindfolded transferred to a place which he could recognize as he was blindfolded and released without being charged on 27 January 2003. Before they left Masunda’s home, police severely assaulted Masunda’s wife, Rebecca Nengomasha, and threatened to come back and pick him so that she could reveal the place where her husband’s gun was hidden. The policemen dropped a bullet in the house, which was discovered the following morning.

Aspiring candidate for Chibuwe ward in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge

The MDC Provincial vice-chair for Manicaland, and aspiring candidate for ward 31 Chipinge North. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors in Chipinge. Released on Z$20 000 bail, but re-arrested on the same charges on 12 August 2002 despite that he was on bail and was due to appear in court on the same case on 19 August 2002.

Ngorima, Daniel

Aspiring MDC candidate for ward Ward 11 Chipinge North. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.

MDC candidate for Ward 32 in Chipinge North in the 2002 local government elections. Arrested during the first week of August for allegedly burning government tractors at the Chipinge government complex.

Arrested together with Roy Bennett on 29 September 2002 after he was seen taking pictures of the scene at Nemaramba School Polling Station, where people were being told to queue in a queue for people who could not cast their vote on their own and needed assistance. The people assisted to vote would be given maize after having been assisted to vote. Bennett was charged with taking pictures illegally during the council elections and accused for practicing “journalism” without accreditation.

MDC youth deputy organising secretary for Harare Province. Arrested on several occasions for alleged violence. Arrested again on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they refuse.

Arrested on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they refuse.

Arrest on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they refuse.

Arrested on 29 January 2002 and released on 1 January 2003 for allegedly possessing firearms. Brutally assaulted and tortured while in police cells at Bindura Police Station.

Falls Nhari
Councillor for Harare on an MDC ticket, Nhari was arrested together with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting in Mabvuku.

Madharani, Derek
Armed police broke into Madharani’s house at about 12.00 midnight on 21 January 2003 and started assaulting him, asking him to give them the names of the people who petrol- bombed the Zanu PF torture base at Kuwadzana 5 Shopping Centre. When he professed ignorance, they blindfolded him and took him to Goromonzi Police Station, where he was severely tortured and sustained a crack on his ear-drum. While being tortured, he was asked to reveal the MDC’s campaign strategy for the Kuwadzana bye-election. He was released without being charged on 24 January 2003 and was treated at the Avenues Clinic, who referred to an ear specialist for further treatment. Madharani is the MDC Organising Secretary for Kuwadzana District.

Aspiring candidate for Highfield, Nyahunzvi was arrested at Machipisa Police Station after reporting that he and six other MDC activists had been attacked by Zanu PF thugs on 30 January 2003. His car was damaged in the attack. Released without being charged.

Councillor for Harare on an MDC ticket, Maimba was arrested together with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting in Mabvuku.

Oscar Pemhiwa
Councillor for a ward in Mabvuku on an MDC ticket, Pemhiwa was arrested together with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting in Mabvuku.

T. Magaya
Magaya was arrested together with Job Sikhala and others on 13 January 2003 on allegations of having been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which were later altered to that of wanting to topple the government. He was severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured. He is out on bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the courts.

A Human rights lawyer, Shumba was arrested together with Job Sikhala and others on 13 January 2003 on allegations of having been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which were later altered to that of wanting to topple the government. He was severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured. He is out on bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the courts.

C. Matema
An MDC activist, Matema was arrested together with Job Sikhala and others on 13 January 2003 on allegations of having been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which were later altered to that of wanting to topple the government. He was severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured. He is out on bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the courts.

MDC activist, Murambatsvina was briefly arrested together with a colleague after bringing food for other MDC activists who were being held in police cells at the Harare Central Police Station on 17 January 2003. Brutally assaulted and tortured during the brief detention before being released.

MDC activist, Marasha was briefly arrested together with a colleague after bringing food for other MDC activists who were being held in police cells at the Harare Central Police Station on 17 January 2003. Brutally assaulted and tortured during the brief detention before being released.

Jane Chifamba
Provincial Chair for Mashonaland East Women's Assembly; was picked up from her home on the night of 19 January 2003. She was held at Marondera Police Station for two days and released without being charged.

Sam Kamudarira
The Provincial Youth Chair, and No charges have been leveled against the seven, who are still being held at Marondera Police Stations' Criminal Investigations Department.

Leon Sunday
A member of the province's executive committee, Sunday was picked up from her home on the night of 19 January 2003. She was held at Marondera Police Station for two days and released without being charged.

MDC activist in Kuwadzana, Harare, Mapfumo was abducted on 22 January 2003 by Zanu PF thugs, who severely assaulted him before handing him over to police, who also tortured him, before releasing him without being charged.

Arrested on 13 January 2003 for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration. He was assaulted and tortured while detained at Marimba Police Station and was released without being charged.

March 6 2003

Farewell: Andy Flower salutes his team's qualification for the World Cup's super six stage, which will mark the end of his career. Photo: AFP

Andy Flower, one of the best batsmen in the world, is preparing to leave the game in sad circumstances, writes Alex Brown, in Johannesburg.

Andy Flower's retirement from international cricket will coincide with Zimbabwe's exit from the World Cup. But an important task remains. Flower, who dared to challenge a tyrannical president, hopes his teammates can lift the spirits of their impoverished countrymen during the super six phase of this tournament.

While describing Zimbabwe's super six qualification as "hollow", given the four competition points earned from England's forfeit, Flower said his team was in a unique position to provide hope to a nation gripped by economic and social despair.

"We're well placed to do something special," Flower said. "We've felt for a couple of years now that the way we perform does have an effect on the nation. We have games against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Kenya, and there's a good chance we could cause an upset or two.

"It does feel a little hollow the way we got here, but we know there are bigger factors. The very fact we've made it this far hopefully will lift the spirits of the people of our nation. I didn't expect to make it this far. It's been a pleasant surprise."

Flower confirmed that after he retires from international cricket he would sign contracts with Essex and, hopefully, South Australia over the next few seasons.

At 34, the former Zimbabwean captain has many regrets in standing down from world cricket; not that he was afforded much of a choice.

Flower, who with teammate Henry Olonga, wore a black armband in protest against President Robert Mugabe's oppressive regime, has been under enormous pressure from the Zimbabwean government and cricket union since his side's cup opener against Namibia last month.

Asked whether he had been threatened by Zimbabwean government operatives - notorious for violently silencing voices of opposition - Flower declined to comment. He did, however, anticipate problems re-entering Zimbabwe in years to come.

"I don't think there will be many problems getting back in this time from South Africa - there's a lot of media around, and I'm grateful for that," he said. "I still feel fit enough to play international cricket, and there are a lot of things I had still hoped to achieve.

"A lot of people have said they'd like me to keep playing for Zimbabwe. But you have to stick by the decisions and the sacrifices you make, and I made this decision for me and my family. Zimbabwe will be home, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to spend a lot of time here.

"I only decided in the last couple of months that I would retire. It's hard to say whether I would have kept playing [if not for the political climate in Zimbabwe]. This situation still exists and it's all I've known for the past few years."

While Flower continues to plunder oppo