Court considers Tsvangirai challenge

A conviction for Tsvangirai could harm his election hopes

The Supreme Court has heard an appeal by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai challenging the government's use of a colonial-era law charging him with terrorism and inciting violence.

At a rally in September 2000 in front of thousands of supporters, the Movement for Democratic Change leader called on President Robert Mugabe to step down saying: "If he doesn't go peacefully, he will be removed by force".

If Mr Tsvangirai loses the appeal he will be tried in the High Court

He faces life in prison if convicted, but Zimbabwean law does not prevent a convicted prisoner from standing in presidential elections.

They are due next year, and Mr Tsvangirai is expected to present President Robert Mugabe with a strong challenge.

The case comes amid a sharply declining economy and and growing political unrest.

Student protest

Riot police in Zimbabwe have used truncheons to break up a demonstration in the capital, Harare, by several hundred students who've been protesting over reports of a big rise in fees.

The protest, outside the education ministry offices, came after the state-owned Herald newspaper announced fee rises by as much as 40-fold for university and college students.

Zimbabwe University student leaders say they now plan to take their protest to the vice-chancellor.

Students have held a series of demonstrations in recent months protesting against the government's non-payment of living allowances and the privatisation of college cafeterias which has seen sharp rises in food prices.

Police threat

The intimidation of the MDC also continues.

The chief of Zimbabwe's police force said on Wednesday that he will dismiss officers who back opposition parties.

This threat came as the police continued their raids on the offices of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

An MDC spokesman said the latest raid - in the Midlands provincial capital of Kwekwe - followed ones in Bulawayo and on the party headquarters in Harare.

The police also questioned a trade union leader for two hours following the stay-away on 3-4 July which brought Zimbabwe to a halt.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions said its secretary-general Wellington Chibebe had been asked about his political affiliation and who had been responsible for calling the strike.

The government declared the strike action illegal.