ZIMBABWE:ZIMBABWE'S POLICE force has been given the go-ahead to use firearms to stamp out any politically motivated violence or "Kenya-style riots" that break out during next month's presidential and parliamentary elections.
In Harare on Tuesday, police commissioner Augustine Chihuri told journalists that under the government's tough public order and security act, his officers were allowed to use guns to ensure that peace and order was maintained.
"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 said referring to Kenya's recent post-election violence, which has led to the death of approximately 1,500 people.
He added: "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. I reiterate that the police will never treat perpetrators of political violence with kid gloves. Please be warned."
Zimbabwe's police force has repeatedly been accused of human rights violations while acting as the sharp end of President Robert Mugabe's approach to retaining power in the southern African country, which is in the grip of economic meltdown.
In its December 2007 report on political violence in the strife-torn country, the Zimbabwe Human Rights (NGO) Forum said that over the past 12 months ongoing political violence, in which state security forces played a major role, had already tainted next month's elections.
The NGO, which consists of 17 local groups involved in grassroots human rights work, recorded 586 cases of torture in 2007 compared with 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.
President Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai launched their election campaigns last weekend and urged supporters to refrain from violence. The former's campaign launch coincided with his 84th birthday celebrations.
Meanwhile former finance minister Simba Makoni, who resigned from the ruling Zanu-PF party to run against President Mugabe for the presidency, has appeared to rule out forming a coalition with the MDC. "There are a large number of people in Zanu-PF who share my proper vision. I don't want to alienate those people by forming a coalition with one entity," said Mr Makoni in an interview with South Africa's Talk Radio 702 on Monday.