Mugabe Accuses Zimbabwe Opposition Leader of Treason

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, was accused of treason yesterday as President Mugabe's regime raised the stakes in the battle to retain its grip on power.

The justice minister who lost his seat in the election, Patrick Chinamasa, accused Mr. Tsvangirai of conspiring with Gordon Brown to bring about "regime change." Treason is a capital offence in Zimbabwe.

"It is clear that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe, and on the part of Tsvangirai, this is treasonous," he told the Herald newspaper, a government mouthpiece.

"There is no doubting the consequences for acting in a treasonous manner."

His comments came after Mr. Brown told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that "no one thinks Robert Mugabe has won" the country's presidential election — the results of which have still not been announced.

Mr. Tsvangirai said yesterday that the South African leader, Thabo Mbeki, accused of taking a soft line on Zimbabwe, should step down from his role mediating between the rival parties. "President Mbeki needs to be relieved from his duty," he said.