Mugabe's Brutality

From Zimbabwe, The Telegraph reports on the dictator Mugabe's treatment of his opposition:

Mr Tsvangirai arrived at the magistrates' court in the capital, Harare, with about 50 others, including several terribly wounded women, in an open truck. They sang songs of defiance against President Robert Mugabe's regime.

After being arrested on Sunday for trying to attend a prayer meeting the authorities had deemed an illegal gathering, Mr Tsvangirai was severely tortured by police.

"I am all right," he said, emerging from the packed courtroom and shaking hands with well-wishers, including Andrew Pocock, the British ambassador in Harare,

Mr Tsvangirai winced in pain, his eyes so puffed and bloodshot he could barely see. The left side of his body was hunched and the stitches sewn into a deep wound on his head were clearly visible.

Memory Mapai, 38, mother of one child and a supporter of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), could barely walk. She was assisted by a wounded party official, Grace Kwinjeh.

Mrs Mapai's thin legs were blistered from blows. She clutched her side, and said in a weak voice: "The pain is very bad. I was tortured at Machipisa [police station]. But we will not stop."