Zimbabwean police on Wednesday banned a popular jogging dance in the capital Harare among other measures aimed at preventing violence ahead of elections set for 29 March.

Police said the toyi-toyi, a dance popular with political activists in southern Africa, often provoked clashes between political rivals.

"The regulating authorities in Harare have... prohibited intimidating acts like toyi-toying, which are likely to disturb the peace," police assistant commissioner Faustino Mazango told a news conference in the capital.

Mazango commended election candidates for having shown maturity since the start of their campaigns, saying instances of political violence have been few and isolated.

"This tranquillity is attributed to the positive and mature approach and behaviour exhibited by most of the candidates," he said.

"Most of the campaign rallies are now characterised by pleas for non-violence. I want to further urge al candidates to shun hate language and support us under the watch-phrase 'zero-tolerance to violence'."

Last month, police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri warned that his force was prepared to use firearms to stamp out violence during joint presidential and legislative elections this month.

The police have also banned the carrying of weapons such as knives, catapults, axes and clubs in the run-up to the polls, and for two weeks afterwards.

Veteran President Robert Mugabe, seeking a sixth term in office, has urged his supporters to desist from violence.

Among his presidential challengers, opposition chief Morgan Tsvangirai has appealed for non-violence while Simba Makoni, Mugabe's former finance minister, has said none of the candidates was worth killing or dying for.

Zimbabwe's last presidential elections in 2002 were marred by claims of vote-rigging and violence.

AFP

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