Zanu-PF, MDC admit to violence
2008-08-07 20:39
Special Report
A classical music presenter for the BBC has been arrested and is in custody in Zimbabwe.
Johannesburg - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change have both taken responsibility for the wave of political violence that swept Zimbabwe after elections in March, a joint statement showed on Thursday.
In the statement, which the parties agreed on Wednesday at talks on the formation of a power-sharing government, Zanu-PF and the MDC "acknowledging that violence that is attributable to us" called on their "supporters and members and any organs and structures under the direction and control of our respective parties to stop and desist the perpetration of violence in any form".
The statement fulfills a requirement in the July 21 memorandum of understanding that kick-started the landmark talks.
The two parties also reaffirmed commitments made on July 21 to do everything within their power to eliminate all forms of political violence and to facilitate the work of NGOs that had been banned from field work by Mugabe's government "to render such assistance as might be required".
The MDC claims that more than 100 of its supporters were killed by Mugabe-loyal militia and soldiers after March 29 general elections that the party won.
Tsvangirai also took the most votes in presidential elections held the same day, but Mugabe later claimed victory in a run-off vote that Tsvangirai boycotted because of the violence.
Fresh attacks claimed
At the urging of the African Union, Zanu-PF and two factions of the MDC began talks on July 24 on the formation of a government of national unity, which, it is hoped, will end the decade-long Zimbabwean crisis.
The statement comes amid claims by the MDC of fresh attacks on its supporters by Zanu-PF supporters.
In a statement, the MDC said Mkululi Ncube, 28, and Rogers Nyoni, 70, were attacked in Filabusi in Matebeleland South region on Wednesday.
"We have no report of that sort yet," said police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena.
Ncube had deep cuts to the head and a fractured leg and Nyoni had arm injuries, the MDC said. MDC sources claimed the MDC started the violence, but that their supporters were overpowered. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA