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Cops have got Mugabe covered
31/03/2003 12:11 - (SA)
Harare - Police deployed large numbers of security forces around President Robert Mugabe's official residence in the capital on Monday as an opposition ultimatum to government was set to expire.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party had given Mugabe's government until Monday to address a series of demands, which included the restoration of law and order and an end to alleged state-sponsored violence.
It has warned that if the government failed to meet the demands, the MDC will march on State House.
A correspondent saw an unusually high number of police milling around on street corners leading to State House, located on the outskirts of the central business district.
Police were deployed in groups of about a dozen at each street corner.
Home affairs minister Kembo Mohadi said the government had taken the opposition threats "very seriously" and warned that anyone trying to stir unrest would be "dealt with severely".
Police set up road blocks along main roads leading into the city, stopping buses and searching commuters.
The ultimatum expires as results from crucial weekend by-elections, preceded by a period of violence and tension, were due to be announced. - Sapa-AFP
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