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Zimbabwe: Defence And Security Chiefs Put Forces On Full Alert
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SW Radio Africa (London)
28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008
Tichaona Sibanda
The country's army and police were placed on full alert Friday, a day before elections which will see over 5 million people going to vote. Heavily armed soldiers with tanks and police with water cannons have been deployed in most urban areas in the country.
In 2002 military chiefs announced their full backing for Robert Mugabe, but this time they avoided any direct mention of support, while warning any would be troublemakers that violence would not be tolerated during, or after the election.
Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, flanked by all the service chiefs from the army, airforce, prisons and the CIO, read a statement saying anyone who harboured 'evil' intentions should be aware that the defence and security forces are up to the task of thwarting all threats to national security.
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'Also those who have been breathing fire about the Kenyan-style violence should be warned that violence is a poor substitute for intelligence and that it is a monster that can devour its creator, as it is blind and not selective in nature,' Chihuri said.
Meanwhile, the head of the African Union (AU) election observer team to Zimbabwe, on Thursday said the organisation would not accept any government that comes into power through a military coup.
Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, the former head of state of Sierra Leone, is leading the AU election observer team in Zimbabwe. He told journalists in Harare that the AU wanted to see a peaceful election before and after voting tomorrow. His remarks appeared to have been directed at the military commanders who have, in the the past month, threatened to reject an opposition victory.
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