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'We'll do it in broad daylight'
16/06/2008 18:03 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwe's President Robert
Mugabe threatened on Monday to arrest opposition leaders over
election campaign violence for which his opponents blame ruling
party supporters.
Branding Zimbabwe's government a "criminal regime", British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined US President George W Bush
in urging Mugabe to allow international monitors to ensure a
free and fair presidential run-off election on June 27.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been repeatedly
detained during his campaign, but has faced no charges. His
Movement for Democratic Change party says 66 people have been
killed in the election violence by ruling Zanu-PF supporters.
Mugabe blames the opposition for the disturbances.
"There is now a pattern readable across the country and that
has now to stop," he told a campaign rally in Kadoma, 150km south of capital Harare.
"We are warning them that we will not hesitate to arrest
them, and we will do that in broad daylight. "They think they are
protected by the British and the Americans. The law of the
country has to be observed." Threatening to go back to war
An MDC spokesperson responded by throwing the charge of responsibility for the violence back at the President.
"He is the one who has gone about threatening to go back to war if he loses," said Nelson Chamisa. "So while he is accusing us of violence, he is responsible."
Though Mugabe blames the opposition for the upsurge in violence, the UN has said the President's supporters are to blame for the bulk of it.
The MDC says more than 60 of its supporters have been killed in a campaign of intimidation since the first-round election on March 29.
Mugabe's comments came after authorities announced recently they would begin refusing bail for suspected perpetrators or instigators of violence.
Mugabe is battling to keep his 28-year hold on power.
Tsvangirai won the first
poll in March, but without enough votes for an outright victory,
official results show.
- Reuters
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Zimbabwe Special Report
