Zimbabwe: Heading for difficult choices in dire times

Political violence has been a traditional staple of Zimbabwean elections, but with the ruling ZANU-PF party now split, next month's ballot could see a whole new scale of trouble.

Simba Makoni - new challenges. (Image: IRIN)

"Violence breeds destruction of property, life and infrastructure, and we do not want lives lost. We will stamp it out and nip it in the bud," police commissioner general Augustine Chihuri warned this week after meeting senior police officers.

In a veiled threat to the opposition, he added: "We are tired of people who complain when they lose but endorse the results when they win. In any election some win, others lose, and this should be accepted."

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