Opposition Leader Tsvangirai now released in Zimbabwe

by Rob Walker | June 4, 2008 at 10:36 am | 241 views | 2 comments

UPDATE: 5:39PM EST

Morgan Tsvangirai has now been released, after being detained for eight hours.

He was released without charge. Spokesman George Sibotshiwe said police had taken an armoured car from the Movement for Democratic Change leader.

Mr Tsvangirai was detained as his convoy was going through a roadblock.

PREVIOUSLY

The opponent of long time Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been detained by police after being stopped at a roadblock.

Tsvangirai's spokesperson stated the detention was illegal, and that the police claimed they were waiting for a commanding officer.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, has been detained by police at a roadblock while campaigning in the presidential run-off vote, members of his party have said.

George Sibotshiwe, Tsvangirai's spokesman, said: "They are saying there's a commanding officer whom we should wait for. They are not saying why they are holding us up.