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Zimbabwe police licensed to shoot | Zimbabwe police licensed to shoot |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Zimbabwe's police chief says officers will be ready to use firearms if the country's forthcoming elections spark violence like that seen in Kenya. | |
Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri urged political parties to avoid clashes with police before the 29 March presidential and parliamentary votes. | Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri urged political parties to avoid clashes with police before the 29 March presidential and parliamentary votes. |
Speaking to reporters, he said "machetes, axes, bows and arrows can not put anybody into office". | Speaking to reporters, he said "machetes, axes, bows and arrows can not put anybody into office". |
Earlier this month, Zimbabwe banned the carrying of weapons in public. | Earlier this month, Zimbabwe banned the carrying of weapons in public. |
Mr Chihuri said the Public Order and Security Act allowed a police officer to use firearms "if he finds other methods to be ineffective or inappropriate". | |
"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 the favour of one's political party." | "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 the favour of one's political party." |
He was referring to ethnic and political violence in Kenya which has seen at least 1,500 people killed since a disputed presidential election in December. | He was referring to ethnic and political violence in Kenya which has seen at least 1,500 people killed since a disputed presidential election in December. |
Economic crisis | Economic crisis |
Both President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have urged their supporters to refrain from violence. | Both President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have urged their supporters to refrain from violence. |
The two launched their election campaigns last weekend. | The two launched their election campaigns last weekend. |
Mr Mugabe's launch coincided with the celebration of his 84th birthday. He has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980. | Mr Mugabe's launch coincided with the celebration of his 84th birthday. He has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980. |
The country is suffering an economic crisis, with annual inflation of 100,000% and unemployment at 80%. There are also severe food and fuel shortages. | The country is suffering an economic crisis, with annual inflation of 100,000% and unemployment at 80%. There are also severe food and fuel shortages. |
Many of Zimbabwe's problems have been blamed by the opposition and Western countries on the policies of President Mugabe. | Many of Zimbabwe's problems have been blamed by the opposition and Western countries on the policies of President Mugabe. |
Mr Mugabe has blamed a British plot. | Mr Mugabe has blamed a British plot. |
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