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Zimbabwe police accuse opposition Zimbabwe police accuse opposition
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's police chief has accused the opposition of trying to rig elections and stirring political violence.Zimbabwe's police chief has accused the opposition of trying to rig elections and stirring political violence.
Augustine Chihuri said more than 100 cases of fraud had been found following last month's elections, whose results have not been published.Augustine Chihuri said more than 100 cases of fraud had been found following last month's elections, whose results have not been published.
This was "evil" and a new phenomenon, said Mr Chihuri, a close ally of President Robert Mugabe. This was "evil" and a new phenomenon, said Mr Chihuri, a key backer of President Robert Mugabe.
Human rights groups and the opposition say the ruling party is behind a wave of attacks on opposition activists.Human rights groups and the opposition say the ruling party is behind a wave of attacks on opposition activists.
But Mr Chihuri blamed the violence on those who were complaining.But Mr Chihuri blamed the violence on those who were complaining.
The Zanu-PF youths accused me of not mobilising my subjects to vote for the party, although I got a plough and farming inputs Tendaupenyu Katongomara Traditional chief
"The old trick of claiming human rights violations when somebody steps on your toe, yet you yourself are poking out other people's eyes, will not work this time around," he said."The old trick of claiming human rights violations when somebody steps on your toe, yet you yourself are poking out other people's eyes, will not work this time around," he said.
Mr Chihuri is one of the Zimbabwean security chiefs who reportedly persuaded Mr Mugabe not to step down immediately after the 29 March elections.
Many of Zimbabwe's top security officials took part in the 1970s independence war and share the president's fiercely nationalistic outlook - blaming the country's problems on the West.
Before the election, Mr Chihuri said he would not allow "puppets" to take over - seen as a reference to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
'Brutal''Brutal'
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the army of organising the attacks on Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists, by providing weapons and transport. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the army of organising the attacks on MDC activists, by providing weapons and transport.
Placing wrong candidates in office who were not selected by the people is evil Augustine ChihuriZimbabwe police chief Key role for security chiefsPlacing wrong candidates in office who were not selected by the people is evil Augustine ChihuriZimbabwe police chief Key role for security chiefs
"We have seen incidents of people being made to lie on their stomachs. And brutally beaten on their backs and buttocks with logs, thick logs, with iron bars with huge rocks and stones," HRW researcher Tiseke Kasambala told the BBC."We have seen incidents of people being made to lie on their stomachs. And brutally beaten on their backs and buttocks with logs, thick logs, with iron bars with huge rocks and stones," HRW researcher Tiseke Kasambala told the BBC.
She blamed most of the violence on Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party but said there had been two cases of MDC revenge attacks, which she warned could lead to "anarchy".She blamed most of the violence on Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party but said there had been two cases of MDC revenge attacks, which she warned could lead to "anarchy".
A local chief in Hurungwe, north-west of Harare, has fled his home after being attacked by ruling party supporters. A traditional chief in Hurungwe, north-west of Harare, has fled his home after being attacked by ruling party supporters.
"The Zanu-PF youths accused me of not mobilising my subjects to vote for the party, although I got a plough and farming inputs [from the government]," Tendaupenyu Katongomara told a BBC contributor in the area."The Zanu-PF youths accused me of not mobilising my subjects to vote for the party, although I got a plough and farming inputs [from the government]," Tendaupenyu Katongomara told a BBC contributor in the area.
The MDC and HRW say the violence is intended to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of a possible run-off in the presidential election.The MDC and HRW say the violence is intended to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of a possible run-off in the presidential election.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he defeated President Mugabe outright.MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he defeated President Mugabe outright.
But independent observers and Mr Mugabe's allies say a run-off may be needed as no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote.But independent observers and Mr Mugabe's allies say a run-off may be needed as no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote.
UN dividedUN divided
There are numerous reports of teachers in rural areas saying they had been threatened by Zanu-PF supporters after working as election officials.There are numerous reports of teachers in rural areas saying they had been threatened by Zanu-PF supporters after working as election officials.
One teaching union official said that 9,000 had not reported for work at the start of term this week.One teaching union official said that 9,000 had not reported for work at the start of term this week.
Robert Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on the westRobert Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on the west
Mr Chihuri said that 108 suspects were helping the police over allegations of fraud.Mr Chihuri said that 108 suspects were helping the police over allegations of fraud.
"Placing wrong candidates in office who were not selected by the people is evil and should never be allowed at all cost," he said."Placing wrong candidates in office who were not selected by the people is evil and should never be allowed at all cost," he said.
"This is a new phenomenon in the electoral history of Zimbabwe.""This is a new phenomenon in the electoral history of Zimbabwe."
The MDC and Western countries say Mr Mugabe and his supporters rigged previous elections.The MDC and Western countries say Mr Mugabe and his supporters rigged previous elections.
The UN Security Council on Tuesday discussed the situation in Zimbabwe but could not agree on what action to take.The UN Security Council on Tuesday discussed the situation in Zimbabwe but could not agree on what action to take.
UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council that Zimbabwe was in the midst of its worst humanitarian crisis since independence.UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council that Zimbabwe was in the midst of its worst humanitarian crisis since independence.
He expressed concern about a very high level of political intimidation and violence, and the "use of food as a political weapon".He expressed concern about a very high level of political intimidation and violence, and the "use of food as a political weapon".
MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti had travelled to New York to lobby members to send a special envoy and humanitarian assistance.MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti had travelled to New York to lobby members to send a special envoy and humanitarian assistance.
But countries such as China and South Africa were not in favour of taking any action.But countries such as China and South Africa were not in favour of taking any action.