HARARE – Zimbabwe’s police chief Augustine Chihuri on Tuesday threatened to use firearms to ensure law and order during and after the country’s elections next month.

 

Chihuri, a supporter of President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF party, told journalists in Harare that under the government’s tough Public Order and Security Act, police were empowered to use guns to ensure peace and order.

 

"In certain circumstances we are also empowered to use force including use of firearms," said Chihuri, whose police are however accused of committing political violence and human rights abuses against opposition supporters.

 

The Zimbabwe Human Rights (NGO) Forum said in a report on politically motivated violence for December that a relentless wave of political violence over the past year and in which state security forces played a major role had already tainted the country’s elections next month.

 

The Forum, which regularly publishes reports on politically motivated violence in the strife-torn southern African country, said it recorded 586 cases of torture in 2007 compared to 368 the previous year.

 

“In the majority of the torture cases, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police or the Central Intelligence Organisation or both working in concert were involved,” said the Forum that brings together 17 groups involved in human rights work and assisting victims of organised violence.

 

Chihuri, who denies charges his officers are guilty of human rights violations, warned the opposition against staging Kenya-style street protest if they lose the vote, saying the police were prepared to crush such protests.

 

He 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 died and tens of thousands have been displaced since December 27, when post-election violence erupted in Kenya after allegations of vote rigging.

 

Zimbabwe, which is grappling with its worst ever economic crisis, holds local government, parliamentary and presidential elections on March 29.

 

Analysts say an unfair playing field coupled with political violence and intimidation of opponents guarantees Mugabe’s government victory at the polls despite clear evidence it has failed to break a vicious inflation cycle that has left consumers impoverished and the economy in deep crisis. - ZimOnline