Zimbabwe's air force chief said today the country's main opposition party had offered him money to try to win his loyalty, and to persuade army generals loyal to President Robert Mugabe to cross sides.
Air Marshall Perence Shiri told a High Court trying opposition leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai on treason charges that two legislators from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) sought the military's support ahead of a March 2002 presidential vote.
Mr Tsvangirai and two party colleagues could face the death penalty if convicted of charges of plotting to assassinate Mr Mugabe before the elections. They all deny the charges.
The MDC leader has mounted his own court challenge to Mr Mugabe's poll victory, which the opposition and several Western countries condemned as fraudulent, and has accused Mr Mugabe of ruining the country's once bountiful economy.
Last Friday the High Court granted Mr Tsvangirai bail after he was detained for two weeks on separate treason charges. In that case he was alleged to have told his supporters to overthrow Mr Mugabe through protests.
Mr Shiri told the High Court that MDC members of parliament Mr Job Sikhala and Mr Tafadzwa Musekiwa had met him twice in January 2002, saying Mr Tsvangirai wanted him to be a key adviser when he came to power.
Mr Shiri said he was suspicious of the MDC's agenda and had told the two he had difficulties with their policies, but would be bound to respect their victory if they took power in the elections.