MDC blames govt for four activist deaths
Thursday, 19 Jun 2008 22:45
Main opposition party in Zimbabwe accuses govt supporters of murdering four activists, taking political death-toll to 70
The main opposition party in
Zimbabwe has accused supporters of the government for the politically-motivated murders of four of its activists.
The bodies of four Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists were found south-east of the capital Harare today.
According to the MDC, 70 of its workers or their spouses and children have been killed by supporters of Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party since the inconclusive presidential election at the end of March.
"Now it's about 70 we've lost," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said, adding that the four latest victims of Zimbabwe's political violence had been beaten to death with clubs and whips.
"The situation in the country is getting worse. A free and fair election is impossible."
South
African president Thabo Mbeki is urging Mr Mugabe to call of the June 27th runoff with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai after the chances of a fair and free election were rendered impossible by violence and voter intimidation.
Mr Tsvangirai has vowed to contest the poll later this month in order to end 28 years of Mugabe rule.