Zim cops 'ready for poll unrest'
26/02/2008 15:26  - (SA)  

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Harare - Zimbabwe's police chief Augustine Chihuri said on Tuesday that his force was prepared to use firearms to stamp out violence during joint presidential and legislative elections next month.

Chihuri said police could invoke the public order and security act, which allowed an officer to use a firearm "if he finds other methods to be ineffective or inappropriate".

Chihuri urged political parties to abide by the law to avoid clashes with police in the run-up to joint presidential, parliamentary, senate and local council polls on March 29.

"In certain circumstances we are also empowered to use force including use of firearms," he told journalists at police headquarters in the southern African capital's Harare.

His warning came on the back of a plea by veteran President Robert Mugabe to his supporters in December to refrain from violence in the upcoming polls and similar exhortations by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai at the launch of his party's election campaign on Saturday.

1 500 people killed

Police Commissioner-General Chihuri said: "There has been talk in some opposition circles and civic organisations of street protests or Kenya-style riots if the ballot does not go in favour of one's political party."

"Machetes, axes, bows and arrows cannot put anybody into office. We will never allow that to happen in this country. We will nip it in the bud. We are adequately resourced to cover this election."

At least 1 500 people had died and tens of thousands been displaced since December 27, when post-election violence erupted in Kenya after allegations of vote-rigging.

Zimbabwe's security forces had in recent years used brute force to break up protests by Mugabe's opponents.

The country's last presidential elections in 2002, won by Mugabe amid claims of vote rigging, were marred by widespread violence, which left several people dead and thousands injured.

Earlier this month, police banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in public to prevent violence.

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