Angola 'supports' Zim police
2007-03-17 12:26
Harare - Angola's minister of home affairs Roberto Monteiro said on Friday Angola is sympathetic to Zimbabwe's police force, which has come under fire from Western nations for the brutal beating of opposition officials.
Speaking during a visit to Harare, the minister said the police should use appropriate measures to contain cases of violence in order to maintain peace and security, state radio reported.
The widely-publicised police beating of Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai last Sunday has sparked Western outrage.
Tsvangirai, who was arrested as he tried to attend a prayer rally, had to be treated in intensive care at a Harare hospital after a beating to the head. Several of the opposition leaders colleagues were also beaten.
The Angolan minister condemned subsequent attacks on police officers, saying the police are there to maintain public order.
At least six police officers have been injured in revenge attacks on the force. Monteiro was in Zimbabwe to sign a co-operation agreement on public order and security, the radio said.
- SAPA