(7 Jun 2003)
++QUALITY AS INCOMING++
1. Wide shot of police convoy carrying, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) at the Harare Magistrates Court
2. Tsvangirai gets out, walks into courtroom
3. Various shots of armed guards and riot police outside court
4. Tsvangirai leaving the courthouse, getting into vehicle
5. Vehicles drive off
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Innocent Chagonda, Tsvangirai's lawyer:
"We believe that it is essential and vital for these proceedings to be adequately recorded, and therefore it has been agreed that the matter should be argued tomorrow - sorry Monday - by which time we reckon that the facilities that will enable the detailed and proper recording will be put in place."
7. Johanna Nkomo's coffin being carried into the National Heroes Cemetary
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe:
"This week we have witnessed the MDC pandering to foreign interests, repeatedly trying to create scenes here for the notice of the West through the so-called mass actions. Those ill-conceived actions have been a disloyal plot. The actions as planned are blatantly illegal in that they are aimed at an unconstitutional removal of the county's head of state. I hope the British and the United States embassies realise that as they sponsor the MDC and instigate it they are doing so in order to achieve an illegal objective. They are acting illegally on our soil. And I warn their instigations cannot be tolerated forever by my government "
9. Wide shot of funeral
STORYLINE:
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader was brought to Harare's Magistates Court on Saturday under a heavy police guard to answer treason charges.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) demanded the case be thrown out of court for lack of evidence, but a hearing was postponed until Monday because there were no facilities to record proceedings.
Tsvangirai was to remain in police custody at least until Monday, his lawyers said.
He was arrested and charged with treason on Friday, the end of a five days of strikes and demonstrations called for by Tsvangirai and the MDC, which demanded the resignation of President Robert Mugabe.
A massive show of force by security forces armed with tear gas, water cannons, clubs and guns prevented street marches, but the success of the strikes were viewed as the biggest opposition challenge yet to Mugabe's 23-year authoritarian rule.
The charges of treason were based on rallies Tsvangirai addressed last month, in which the state alleges he urged supporters to take to the streets to oust Mugabe and the Zimbabwean government, Tsvangirai's lawyer Innocent Chagonda said.
When court resumes on Monday, Tsvangirai's lawyers plan to ask that the case be thrown out of court because the state has not provided any quotes or evidence that Tsvangirai made such comments.
Mugabe, speaking at a state funeral Saturday, said anti-government demonstrations aimed at unconstitutionally removing him were illegal and would not be tolerated.
He also accused British and US diplomats in Zimbabwe of encouraging opposition protests this week that he described as "a dismal flop."
The British and US embassies "are acting illegally on our soil. I warn that their instigations cannot be tolerated forever by my government," Mugabe told mourners at the funeral of Johanna Nkomo, widow of former Vice President Joshua Nkomo.
Treason carries a possible death penalty in Zimbabwe.
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