(27 Apr 2000) English/Nat
Zimbabwe's Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri on Thursday dismissed opposition claims that police are responsible for the recent violence plaguing the country.
Instead, Chihuri said the ruling party and the opposition are equally responsible.
He said that since the political violence began seven people have died, killed by both the ruling ZANU-PF party supporters and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
Since the latest troubles began in Zimbabwe the police have been accused of inciting the political violence and of passively watching violent incidents.
Thursday's news conference was a chance for the police commissioner to channel those criticisms towards the country's politicians.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You are the doers of violence, you should stop it and cease from accusing the police from causing violence. From now on we promise, and believe me that the police will be tough against political malcontents who wish to perpetuate violence."
SUPER CAPTION: Augustine Chihuri, Police Commissioner
Speaking earlier at a closed-door meeting between officials from the ruling ZANU-PF, opposition Movement for Democratic Change and other smaller parties, Chihuri said there had been 194 acts of political violence since January.
Chihuri urged calm ahead of elections which are expected to be called in May.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Disruption of meetings organised by rival parties, locals targeting local rival supporters and their property usually under the cover of darkness, targeting local officials and destroying their property, also the concept that if you are not with us therefore naturally you must be with them, is beginning to take root and because of this very many innocent people are being victimised in that process."
SUPER CAPTION: Augustine Chihuri, Police Commissioner
He said seven people had been killed due to the political violence caused by both the ruling party and the M-D-C.
Chihuri claimed the murders of a black policeman and two white farmers were not related to politics, but to land occupations, which he called a separate issue.
However, reports from farm officials, opposition leaders and others indicate that at least 12 had died from violence related to the country's political crisis, including the land occupations.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Can I further state to you specifically that so far seven people have been killed through political related violence to the impending elections. In addition we want to acknowledge the death of two white farmers and one police officer through violence related to farm occupations."
SUPER CAPTION: Augustine Chihuri, Police Commissioner
Chihuri said he would enforce a law that forbids party officials to transport supporters to rallies.
He accused party officials of inciting violence by making inflammatory statements.
Chihuri also commented on Obed Zilwa - an Associated Press photographer who is being held by police.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The police are holding someone and investigations are continuing obviously it's part of violence which we don't appreciate and like it."
SUPER CAPTION: Augustine Chihuri, Police Commissioner
Police say Zilwa matches a description of a person in a car from which an explosive device was hurled on Saturday.
No one was injured in the explosion.
Zilwa was one of the first photographers on the scene after the explosion.
He was held in a Harare jail overnight on Wednesday.
Police have the right to detain him for 48 hours without charge. Police did not return a phone call seeking comment.
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