Zimbabwe by-election fears

Zimbabwe by-election fears

Political tension has risen since last week's strike

Zimbabwe's opposition has accused the ruling Zanu-PF party of planning to rig two key by-elections in Harare this weekend.

The Movement for Democratic Change says up to 19,000 extra voters have been registered, while food stained with indelible ink would be distributed to prevent the locals from voting.

On Friday, the European Union condemned "unprecedented government-sponsored violence" against the opposition in Zimbabwe.

The EU accused President Robert Mugabe's government of arbitrarily detaining and torturing hundreds of opponents.

It also said the Zimbabwean people had a constitutional right to protest peacefully and called on the government to respect that right.

The statement, made at a meeting in Greece, followed a nationwide anti-government protest last week, which the opposition leader - Morgan Tsvangirai - described as a resounding success.

Mounting tension

Tension is rising in Zimbabwe following last week's anti-government strike and ahead of an end-of-the-month MDC deadline for President Robert Mugabe to stop harassing the opposition.

There are also fears that violence could erupt over the weekend related to the by-elections.

"The government wants to inflate the voters' roll," said MDC elections director Remus Makuwaza.

He said up to 8,000 non-residents had been registered in Kuwadzana and 11,000 in Highfield, which both voted overwhelmingly for the MDC in the June 2000 parliamentary poll.

"Sugar stained"

Mr Makuwaza accused the authorities of trying to prevent the area's genuine residents from voting by distributing rare commodities such as sugar, maize meal and cooking oil stained with indelible ink.

Zimbabweans have to queue for everything from petrol to sugar

In order to prevent people voting more than once, voters dip their finger in indelible ink when they cast their ballots.

Anyone with indelible ink already on their hands would not be allowed to vote.

"We are aware that state agents plan to taint doors and water taps with the indelible ink in those areas which are known MDC strongholds in order to disqualify our voters," Mr Makuwaza said.

Notorious war veteran leader Joseph Chinotimba is contesting the Highfield seat.

He was one of those who led the violent occupation of white-owned farms since 2000.

The Kuwadzana seat became vacant following the death in police custody of MDC MP Learnmore Jongwe, while the MDC Highfield MP was expelled from the party for indiscipline.