Zimbabwe's opposition remained under pressure following the refusal Saturday by Movement for Democratic Change founder Morgan Tsvangirai to meet with President Robert Mugabe in a meeting brokered by South African President Thabo Mbeki, as MDC sources reported that armed troops tried to force their way into Tsvangirai's Harare home early Monday.
MDC officials said soldiers bearing AK-47 assault rifles were brought to his Avondale home in two trucks and made to enter the house, but were barred by security guards.
Last month Tsvangirai sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare after announcing that he would not participate in the June 27 presidential run-off election, initially emerging only to hold news conferences but last week resuming residence at his home.
Harare correspondent Thomas Chiripasi told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the situation in the capital is increasingly tense as incidents of violence against opposition officials become more frequent.
Elsewhere, MDC officials said armed ZANU-PF militia late Sunday invaded a holding center in Ruwa, east of Harare, where more than 300 opposition supporters have been housed after fleeing political violence in their home areas in recent months.
MDC sources said eight people were injured and an unknown number were abducted.
The holding center was set up last month to receive opposition members who sought refuge at the South African Embassy in Harare. MDC Welfare Officer Fred Makuvise said it was not easy to count casualties or abductions as the center is a no-go area for the opposition.
Meanwhile, sources in Manicaland said armed men abducted three opposition activists from their homes in Makoni South constituency on Saturday, and they remained missing.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...
