Robert Mugabe's Government brushed off fresh criticism today over its brutal crackdown on the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), dismissing it as further evidence of mischief-making by the West.

A senior MDC figure trying to leave the country yesterday was beaten so badly he needed hospital treatment, prompting a fresh round of condemnations against the Mugabe regime came from the European Union, Britain and the United States.

But Harare again accused its critics of stirring up trouble with “mischievous” and“political” statements, as well as siding with the opposition by failing to denounce attacks on the security forces last week.

The Government has already threatened ambassadors with expulsion for interfering in Zimbabwean affairs and this afternoon envoys from a group of Western countries were summoned to the foreign ministry for what was expected to be a dressing-down.

“We find it disturbing in that we are not hearing anything on the three women police officers who are struggling for their lives in hospital and about three police officers who were badly beaten up by the MDC,” said Bright Matonga, an Information Minister.

Mr Matonga’s comments came after the German presidency of the EU expressed its outrage at Sunday’s attack on Nelson Chamisa, a MDC lawmaker, who was picked up en route to the airport, from where he was due to fly to Brussels.

Colleagues said that Mr Chamisa, who acts as spokesman for the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, had suffered serious injuries to his head and one of his eyes and had to be hospitalised.

A statement from Berlin said:“The EU presidency was outraged and deeply concerned by the news of the arrest and brutal treatment of the opposition MP Nelson Chamisa."

Arthur Mutambura, the head of an MDC breakaway faction, was re-arrested on Saturday on charges of inciting public violence as he tried to leave the country. He was appearing in court this afternoon after his lawyer filed an urgent petition for his release.

Mr Mutambura was first arrested alongside Mr Tsvangirai and dozens of other activists who were severely beaten as they tried to stage an anti-government rally on March 11. Mr Tsvangirai said yesterday that the assault on Mr Chamisa showed the regime was at a "tipping point".

The Government was also accused today of effectively stealing the body of an opposition activist killed at the March 11 rally and forcing his family to bury him in a rural area to prevent his burial becoming a magnet for protest.

The United States said it would hold Zimbabwe's veteran President personally responsible for beatings sustained by opposition members.

“The United States condemns the government of Zimbabwe’s continued attacks on the political opposition, including additional arrests, beatings and refusal to allow travel for necessary medical treatment,” said Sean McCormack, a State Department spokesman.

“We hold President Mugabe personally responsible for these actions."

Mr Mugabe has accused Britain, the former colonial power, and other Western governments of meddling in its domestic affairs.

But Tony Blair's official spokesman said today that African leaders must take the lead in resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe.

“The important thing in terms of influencing events on the ground is that this is seen as the Africans in the lead rather than us,” he said.

The French Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said that it was up to the Zimbabwean authorities “to enable the democratic expression of opposition parties and the freedom of movement of their leaders".

Opposition to the 83-year-old Mr Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, has been steadily mounting amid an economic meltdown with inflation standing at 1,730 per cent and four out five people out of work.

The country’s economic meltdown is fuelling tensions, with fuel prices skyrocketing by 200 percent over the past two weeks along.

Mr Mugabe has remained defiant in the face of the criticism, blaming the unrest on the MDC and its critics.

“We have given too much room to mischief-makers and shameless stooges of the West,” Mr Mugabe said in a speech at the weekend.

“Let them and their masters know we shall brook none of their lawless behaviour."

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