Mugabe rival stays in jail

Tsvangirai now faces two charges of treason

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is to spend a sixth night in custody after his bail hearing was again adjourned.

On Wednesday, he appeared in court wearing leg-irons and a khaki prison uniform, prompting his lawyers to complain that the state was trying to "dehumanize and belittle" him.

Earlier, his wife spoke of her fears about his continuing detention on treason charges.

On Tuesday, a magistrate's court remanded him in custody for a month but allowed him to seek bail from a higher court.

Mr Tsvangirai was charged with treason for calling last week's "mass action" aimed at ousting President Robert Mugabe.

I am personally fearful and worried about his security at the remand prison

Susan Tsvangirai

Security was tight, with heavily armed riot police outside the High Court, which is opposite Mr Mugabe's offices.

A general strike brought Zimbabwe to a standstill last week, but anti-government marches were dispersed by police, soldiers and pro-government activists.

The BBC's Southern Africa Correspondent Barnaby Phillips says neither side emerged as a clear winner.

Mr Tsvangirai, and two colleagues, have already been charged with treason over an alleged plot to assassinate Mr Mugabe. Their trial began in February.

Detention condemned

The MDC accuses Mr Mugabe of rigging last year's presidential election and ruining the economy.

Mr Mugabe says the poll was above board and says the economic problems are a result of a western plot against him.

Shortages of petrol, sugar, bread

Inflation: 269%

Eight million need food aid

Zimbabwe's stalemate

Following his lawyers' complaints, the court was first adjourned to allow Mr Tsvangirai to change into a blue suit and tie.

"I am personally fearful and worried about his security at the remand prison because that place is open to abuse by the authorities," Susan Tsvangirai told the privately-owned Daily News.

The MDC has threatened to renew the protests unless Mr Tsvangirai is released.

Both the United States and the European Union have condemned Mr Tsvangirai's detention.

'Fighting fit'

Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi has said that companies which closed during last week's strike could lose their operating licences and be taken over by black Zimbabwean entrepreneurs.

The government has made similar threats in the past but says this time it will carry out the threats.

Security is tight around Tsvangirai

Mr Mumbengegwi also said that expatriate staff who followed the strike call would lose their work permits.

But Harare journalist Leroy McKenzie told the BBC's Network Africa that this would mean closing down whole industries because most companies in Harare and other cities were closed during the strike.

Mr Mugabe says he is ready to confront the protestors.

"I am fit for a fight, I am getting younger and I still can punch," the 79-year old president told the South African Press Association.

Zimbabwe suffers from shortages of medicine, food, and fuel.

Output had fallen by a third in the past four years and annual inflation is 269%.

The country is under sanctions from the European Union, the United States and the Commonwealth over alleged vote-rigging in last year's elections.