Zimbabwe's neighbours break silence on political crackdown

The appearance in court of badly beaten members of Zimbabwe's political opposition has prompted the country's neighbours to break their usual silence on the actions of the Mugabe Government. South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister, Aziz Pahad, has asked President Robert Mugabe to respect the rights of all its citizens.

Mr Pahad said his country urged the Zimbabwean Government to ensure that the rule of law including the respect for rights of all Zimbabweans, and leaders of various political parties is respected.

The statement might not sound like much, but it represents a significant shift in policy as Zimbabwe's neighbours famously do not comment publicly on one another's affairs.

To bring about that change it took the sight of about 50 supporters of the Zimbabwean opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), in court looking very badly beaten after being detained at a rally on Sunday.

Peta Thornycroft, a correspondent for the British Daily Telegraph newspaper watched the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters arrive at the court.

"One could see very clearly about an eight-centimetre wound on his head which had been stitched at sometime since he was arrested on Sunday," Ms Thornycroft said.

"There were also several people who were most grieviously injured including one young man who literally could hardly breath let alone walk, he had to be carried into the court."

Deteriorating conditions in Zimbabwe means refugees are streaming over its borders. Those who have left Zimbabwe are keeping up the pressure.

Following the detention of the MDC members, a protest was been held outside the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg. Zambia has also broken with tradition to comment on recent events, albeit to stress that diplomatic channels are used to express disquiet.

Zambian Information Minister Vernon Mwaanga says his government has made Zimbabwe aware of their concerns. "We've stated our position to them in our private and bilateral discussions with the government of Zimbabwe," he said. "We've noted what has happened in the last few days and we know that it is a matter of concern not only to us, but to members of the African Union and SADC."

There has also been condemnation of the treatment of the opposition from the United Nations, which has called for an immediate investigation into their detainment. So far though there is no indication they would be prepared to do anything to really upset Robert Mugabe.

ABC Online