(UPDATED) THE MAIN opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) says two of its members were arrested as they entered parliament to be sworn in Monday morning, the MDC said in an e-mailed statement from Johannesburg.
The opposition party said police did not state the reason for their arrest or disclose where the two men were being taken to. They were later released.
An MDC official said the arrests were part of the "sinister agenda of this regime" to "tilt the balance of numbers in their favour during the voting for the speaker of parliament."
One of those detained -- Shuwa Mudiwa -- appeared back in parliament, but the other member -- Elia Jembere -- was not seen, according to sources.
Government spokesman Bright Matonga said Jembere had been accused of rape, but that he has been released from custody.
A third member -- Elton Mangoma -- escaped an arrest attempt when other party members came to his rescue, MDC officials said.
Opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa says the MDC-T determined to take up seats in parliament, which President Robert Mugabe will open tomorrow (Tuesday). The pposition party won the most legislative seats in March, and is currently engaged in all-party talks with Zanu PF and another faction of the MDC led by Professor Arthur Mutambara to negotiate executive power sharing with President Mugabe.
Police are said to have issued seven warrants of arrest against MDC-T members accused of involvement in election violence. The names of the seven are yet to be released to the public.
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