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2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Zimbabwe
police ban dangerous weapons ahead of general polls
Agence
France-Presse (AFP)
February 19, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hk8cMmQ4isPTIXwZcCi6PTbeQUaA
Zimbabwe police have
banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in public in the capital
and the southern town of Masvingo to prevent violence in the upcoming
joint presidential and legislative polls, an official said Wednesday.
"As a preventive
measure the five of us...wish to notify members of the public that
the carrying and possession of certain weapons before, during and
after the elections is prohibited for a period of two months extending
from February 21 to April 21, 2008," Harare police commander
Isaac Tayengwa was quoted as saying by the state-owned Herald newspaper.
Tayengwa was briefing
journalists after a meeting attended by police commanders for Harare's
five districts.
"Police will use
their discretion on any tool that people will be carrying such as
walking sticks for the elderly, the blind and disabled. But if anyone
tries to use the walking stick for other objectives other than that
for which it is intended, we will not hesitate to arrest them,"
Tayengwa said.
The ban came after a
former ruling party lawmaker was arrested for brandishing a pistol
at a rally and inciting his supporters against his rival in the
ruling party primaries.
The Herald also quoted
the police as saying two opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) were arrested for fomenting violence.
Police commissioner general
Augustine Chihuri warned last month that the would not tolerate
violence in the polls.
Chihuri's warning came
on the back of a plea by veteran President Robert Mugabe to his
supporters in December to refrain from violence in the polls on
March 29.
Zimbabwe's last presidential
elections in 2002 were marred by widespread violence which left
several people dead and thousands injured.
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