A deputy mayor from Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party was freed without charge on Sunday after being detained over violence between MDC supporters and those of Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF.

"Mutare deputy mayor Admire Mukorera was released without charge," Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesperson and lawmaker Pishayi Muchauraya told AFP.

"They (police) say they would call him by summons if they still need him," Muchauraya added.

Mukorera was picked up by detectives early on Saturday morning at his home.

Police had claimed Mukorera's car was used during violent clashes in Tsvangirai's home district of Buhera between supporters of the prime minister and veteran President Robert Mugabe at the beginning of last week, said Muchauraya.

Tsvangirai entered a national unity government with Mugabe last month after a long-standing political impasse sparked by disputed election a year ago.