* Mugabe calls for peace as violence rises ahead of polls
* Mugabe says empowerment policy to uplift poor majority
By Cris Chinaka
HARARE, April 18 (Reuters) – Zimbabwe President Robert
Mugabe on Wednesday urged political parties to ensure a looming
general election is peaceful, amid a rise in violence that he
blamed on ambitious politicians staking claims as candidates.
“It’s very sad that we are seeing ugly fights in
constituencies sponsored by sitting members of parliament and
potential candidates,” he said at a rally to mark 32 years of
independence from Britain.
Critics and opponents say Mugabe hung on to power in a 2008
election by rigging polls and allowing independence war veterans
and the youth brigade of his ruling ZANU-PF to attack opposition
candidates.
Addressing the rally, Mugabe, 88 years old and Zimbabwe’s
ruler since independence, also said ZANU-PF would not back down
from a highly criticised drive to force foreign firms to
surrender majority stakes to locals.
The empowerment plan was meant to correct colonial
injustices, he said.
Continued…
