Zimbabwe blames opposition for bomb

Police raided the MDC offices last week

Zimbabwean Home Affairs Minister John Nkomo has told parliament that the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was behind a grenade attack last week on its own offices.

Mr Nkomo said police raids on the opposition's premisies had uncovered weapons including grenades and a hand gun.

Nkomo: Remarks greeted with derision

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai described the accusations as completly without foundation, and the party has reaffirmed its commitment to non-violence.

The Home Affairs Minister statement to parliament was greeted with howls of ridicule and incredulity from members of the opposition.

"You people are insane," shouted one MP.

'Inside job'

The minister told parliament that police investigations revealed without doubt that the explosion at opposition headquarters a week ago was an inside job.

The MDC gained numerous seats in the last election

Subsequent searches of the MDC's offices and the homes of its members had produced an unspecified number of grenades, a loaded pistol, and 10 cartridges, Mr Nkomo said.

He said key suspects were now known and all that remained was for the police to consolidate evidence.

Raids

Mr Tsvangirai said he was dismayed that a minister he had previously considered to be honourable could make false statements to parliament.

Tsvangirai: Dismayed at minister's remarks

He went on to suggest that the government's intention could be to provide a pretext for banning the MDC, less than 3 months after it came close to winning a majority of the contested seats in parliamentary elections.

Last week the police raided the MDC offices several times, carrying off documents and computers, and arresting four party officials who were later released without charge.

Similar tactics were used against Zapu, the main opposition in the 1980s. The political instability then was resolved only by the signing of a unity accord, which in practice meant the swallowing up of the opposition by the ruling party.