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Harare - Zimbabwean police have banned toyi-toyi, a militant genre of music and dance accompanied by the chanting of slogans, in a move they said was meant to prevent politically-motivated violence ahead of the 29 March elections.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Faustino Mazango, who is heading the police's elections committee, told a press conference in Harare yesterday that they had banned the militant dance as it could intimidate the electorate.

The ban on toyi-toying in Harare comes a few weeks after the police banned the carrying of traditional weapons around the country in what they said was an attempt to prevent incidents of violence in the run-up to the polls.

"The regulating authorities in Harare have gone further and prohibited some intimidating acts like toyi-toying, which are likely to cause or disturb peace," said Mazango.

Mazango said the police were empowered under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) to assess the prevailing political atmosphere and enforce such bans where necessary.

Zimbabweans go to the polls on 29 March to elect a new president, parliamentarians and local government representatives.

The elections come against serious concerns by human rights groups and major Western governments over rising cases of political violence and intimidation mostly perpetrated by President Robert Mugabe's supporters.

Political analysts say an unfair political playing field and violence has already guaranteed victory for Mugabe who is seeking a fresh five-year term at the polls that could take his uninterrupted rule to 33 years.

Mazango told the press briefing that the police had recorded isolated cases of violence in Harare in the run-up to the polls that analysts say presents the biggest electoral test to Mugabe.

Mazango said from the nomination date on 15 February up to Friday 7 March 2008, the police had only recorded 14 cases of politically motivated violence, adding that the situation was relatively calm as compared to previous elections.

The police commander said at least 39 supporters from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party have been arrested during the same period while 29 ruling ZANU PF party supporters were also arrested.

"But I wish to point out that the situation continues to remain calm. This tranquility is attributed to the positive and mature approach and behaviour exhibited by most candidates," said Mazango.

Mazango's statement is in sharp contrast to reports compiled by Zimbabwean civic groups who have reported an upsurge in cases of political violence since last year.

On Tuesday, the United States added its voice of condemnation of the government's human rights record saying last year had seen some of the worst incidents of human rights violations in Zimbabwe.

Human rights groups say the relentless human rights abuses had already tainted Zimbabwe's month-end elections.

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