Prison authorities in Zimbabwe on Tuesday denied medical treatment to a Movement for Democratic Change official who was abducted three weeks ago by security agents in Harare.

Pascal Gwenzere is being held at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison outside Harare.

MDC Transport Manager Pasco Gwenzere has leg injuries and probably broken toes.

His lawyer said it was a result of beatings he received in custody.

A Harare magistrate said two weeks ago Gwenzere should be allowed treatment from a doctor of his choice but prison doctors are not co-operating.

Lawyer Alec Muchadehama said this was calculated and deliberate behaviour.

The state accused the MDC official of masterminding the theft of rifles and a shotgun from an army barracks in Harare.

Private press reports say some soldiers implicated in the theft have since disappeared.