This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6463653.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Zimbabwe stops activists leaving Zimbabwe stops activists leaving
(about 1 hour later)
Three leading Zimbabwean opposition members have been prevented from going abroad and one of them was beaten up on his way to the airport, reports say. Four leading Zimbabwean opposition members have been prevented from going abroad and one of them was attacked at the airport, the opposition says.
Nelson Chamisa was beaten as he tried to leave for Brussels on Sunday to attend a meeting, the opposition said. Nelson Chamisa said he had been beaten as he tried to leave for Brussels on Sunday to attend a meeting.
Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland had planned to seek treatment in South Africa for injuries sustained in police custody, their lawyer said.Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland had planned to seek treatment in South Africa for injuries sustained in police custody, their lawyer said.
And Arthur Mutambara was re-arrested as he was about to leave the country.
Earlier, the African Union urged Harare to respect human rights in the country.Earlier, the African Union urged Harare to respect human rights in the country.
In a statement, the pan-African body also called for a "constructive dialogue" to resolve Zimbabwe's deepening crisis.In a statement, the pan-African body also called for a "constructive dialogue" to resolve Zimbabwe's deepening crisis.
Western criticism of Robert Mugabe's government intensified after Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was beaten after last Sunday's rally in Harare.Western criticism of Robert Mugabe's government intensified after Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was beaten after last Sunday's rally in Harare.
'Arbitrary act''Arbitrary act'
Mr Chamisa, an MDC spokesman, was "badly beaten this morning whilst he was on his way to the airport by security agents", MDC official William Bango told AFP news agency. Mr Chamisa, an MDC spokesman, said he had been approached by unidentified men as he got out of his car outside the departures' hall at Harare Airport.
Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader 'Zimbabwe is still working'Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader 'Zimbabwe is still working'
He had been on his way to attend an Africa Caribbean Pacific-EU meeting in Belgium. "I was suddenly surrounded by, I think, about eight men," he said later.
"The security agents have taken his passport, laptop and his luggage," said Mr Bango. "One of his eyes has been badly injured. It's really bad. His head has been severely injured." "One wore a green t-shirt. The other ones had suits. Then I was hit, I think about three times... Then I fell to the ground."
Mr Chamisa, who had been on his way to attend an Africa Caribbean Pacific-EU meeting in Belgium, said he had seen his attackers running off towards two vehicles without registration plates.
He says he was bleeding heavily and needed assistance and has now been admitted to hospital in Harare where his doctor says he has a fractured skull.
Mr Chamisa said there was no security for members of the opposition and that everyone was now at risk.
Arthur Mutambara, leader of one of the factions of the MDC, was re-arrested on Saturday, and is now being held at Harare central police station.
Ms Holland and Ms Kwinje tried to go to South Africa to receive specialist treatment on Saturday evening, Tafadzwa Mugabe, a lawyer who accompanied them, told the BBC's World Today programme.Ms Holland and Ms Kwinje tried to go to South Africa to receive specialist treatment on Saturday evening, Tafadzwa Mugabe, a lawyer who accompanied them, told the BBC's World Today programme.
They were among a number of activists beaten while in police custody after being arrested last week.They were among a number of activists beaten while in police custody after being arrested last week.
Tafadzwa Mugabe said all their papers were in order but - just before boarding the flight - the authorities said the two women needed an additional "clearance letter from the ministry of health".Tafadzwa Mugabe said all their papers were in order but - just before boarding the flight - the authorities said the two women needed an additional "clearance letter from the ministry of health".
"This was just an arbitrary act," the lawyer said, adding that they would be taking legal action."This was just an arbitrary act," the lawyer said, adding that they would be taking legal action.
He said that the condition of the two women activists remained critical.He said that the condition of the two women activists remained critical.
He added that Arthur Mutambara - the leader of one faction of the MDC - was also prevented by the police from leaving the country, though he was not seeking medical help.
'Tipping point''Tipping point'
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told the BBC's Sunday AM programme that the situation has reached a critical stage.MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told the BBC's Sunday AM programme that the situation has reached a critical stage.
"Well I think that this is a tipping point," he said."Well I think that this is a tipping point," he said.
"Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship.""Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship."
President Mugabe has rejected Western criticism and blamed the opposition for instigating the violence.President Mugabe has rejected Western criticism and blamed the opposition for instigating the violence.
Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 27 years, but there is increasing discontent over the country's economic crisis.Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 27 years, but there is increasing discontent over the country's economic crisis.