Zimbabwe police, MDC supporters clash, "several injured" (2nd Lead)

Jan 23, 2008, 12:42 GMT

Johannesburg/Harare - Zimbabwean police and several hundred supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) clashed Wednesday in Harare as the MDC members attempted to make their way to the venue of a court-sanctioned rally.

The clashes took place shortly after a judge in Harare's magistrates court ordered that the MDC be allowed hold a rally in Glamis Stadium but barred them from staging a planned protest march through the city streets.

Following the ruling a crowd of several hundred MDC supporters emerged from party headquarters and started marching towards the stadium waving placards and chanting songs.

Their path was barred by riot police who fired tear gas and baton-charged them in an attempt to disperse them.

Several people were injured in the melee and 'quite a lot' were arrested, MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

It was unclear whether any senior opposition figures were among the reported injuries or arrested.

The rally, which MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had been due to address, looked likely to be aborted.

Tensions had been running high ahead of the protest after the government banned it at the eleventh hour citing concerns for public security and held Tsvangirai for questioning for several hours Wednesday morning before releasing him without charge.

The MDC has labelled the protest a test of the sincerity of President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party after the long-time leader signed into law an amendment to the security regulations that in principle make it easier for people to demonstrate.

The MDC's 'freedom march' was aimed at pressing their demands for free and fair elections under a new constitution.

President Robert Mugabe is insisting on holding the elections in March under the current constitution.