ARMS CACHE FOUND IN ZIMBABWE!

Arrests for Zimbabwe 'arms cache'.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has twice been charged with treason. Two senior Zimbabwean opposition officials have been arrested after police said they had found an arms cache in the eastern city of Mutare. The Movement for Democratic Change identified them as MP Giles Mutsekwa and regional treasurer Brian James. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa strongly denied that the party had any links to the weapons, or plans of violence. Security Minister Didymus Mutasa has warned that those planning violence would be physically "eliminated". The cache was said to contain rifles, machine guns and tear gas canisters, which officials suspect were to be used in acts of "sabotage and destabilisation".

The alleged owner of the weapons, Peter Hitschmann, was a member of the army before independence and is expected to appear in court. State media has reported that he has told the police he was working for the MDC. "We wish to place it on record that the MDC does not have any links with Mr Hitschmann, the so-called Zimbabwe Freedom Movement or any other person or group that seeks to effect a regime change through the barrel of the gun, an armed struggle, violence or unconstitutional means," said Mr Chamisa, spokesman for the MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai. Mr Tsvangirai has twice been charged with treason over alleged coup plots - he was acquitted once and the charges were dropped the second time.

Referring to Mr Tsvangirai and anyone planning violence, Security Minister Didymus Mutasa told state television: "If it came to a position where we have to eliminate them physically because of what they are doing, then it is their fault, that is what they are looking for, and we will not hesitate to do that."

President Robert Mugabe played a key role in ending white rule in Rhodesia and he and his Zanu-PF party have dominated Zimbabwe's politics since independence in 1980. The main challenge to the octogenarian leader's authority has come from the MDC. But observers say the recent split in the MDC over whether to contest last year's senate elections has weakened its opposition to Mr Mugabe.

BBC NEWS REPORT.