The ZIMBABWE Situation | Our
thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe - may peace, truth and justice prevail. |
Tsvangirai has issued an
ultimatum |
Mr Tsvangirai is currently on trial for plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe - a charge he denies - but is currently on bail.
The call for his detention comes just over a week after a massive two-day general strike aimed at ousting Mr Mugabe, who was re-elected last year in a vote deemed fraudulent by many outside observers.
A spokesman for Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party vowed that the opposition, which is fighting two key by-elections this weekend, would not be crushed.
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi accused Mr Tsvangirai of using his freedom to incite violence against the government and he urged the judiciary to withdraw his bail and hold him in custody.
"The courts must be aware that while Morgan Tsvangirai is being tried for treason, he is taking advantage of being out of custody to orchestrate acts of violence," he said in a press statement.
"We urge the judicial system to review this position so that he is tried while in custody."
If convicted of the assassination plot, the MDC leader faces the death penalty.
Opposition ultimatum
MDC spokesman Paul Themba-Nyathi said his party's leaders were used to government threats.
"This government has been threatening the MDC leadership for years now and we are not frightened," he told Reuters news agency.
Mugabe is accused of behaving like a
dictator |
The MDC accuses Mr Mugabe's ruling party, Zanu-PF, of planning to rig the two by-elections in Harare.
On Friday, the European Union condemned "unprecedented government-sponsored violence" against the opposition in Zimbabwe.
The EU accused President Robert Mugabe's government of arbitrarily detaining and torturing hundreds of opponents.
It also said the Zimbabwean people had a constitutional right to protest peacefully and called on the government to respect that right.
The statement, made at a meeting in Greece, followed the nationwide anti-government protest on 18-19 March, which Morgan Tsvangirai has described as a resounding success.
Mr Tsvangirai has called for further peaceful mass action against the Mugabe government if opposition demands for law and order are not met by Monday.
"There can be no compromise or surrender," he told foreign diplomats in Harare on Friday.
"Mugabe must unconditionally yield or face decisive mass action from the people."
'Vote-rigging'
Up to 19,000 extra voters have been registered for the Harare by-elections, the opposition reports, and food stained with indelible ink is allegedly due to be distributed to prevent locals from voting.
In order to prevent people voting more than once, voters dip their finger in indelible ink when they cast their ballots - anyone with indelible ink already on their hands will not be allowed to vote.
"We are aware that state agents plan to taint doors and water taps with the indelible ink in those areas which are known MDC strongholds in order to disqualify our voters," said MDC elections director Remus Makuwaza.
Joseph Chinotimba - a leading figure in the violent occupation of white-owned farms since 2000 - is contesting Harare's Highfield seat.
The MDC Highfield MP was expelled from the party for indiscipline while the other seat, Kuwadzana, became vacant following the death in police custody of MDC MP Learnmore Jongwe.