Zimbabwe's Mugabe warns opposition against causing anarchy

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday warned opposition parties against causing anarchy in the country.

Mugabe spoke as police Friday thwarted a protest march by the opposition to push for electoral reforms before the 2018 elections, the latest in a series of anti-government protests by the opposition and pressure groups in recent weeks.

In most cases, police have fired tear gas and water cannons to break the protests.

"Even if our economy is not doing well, do you have to go into the streets and burn tyres, cars and those little shops that people are depending on? Do you have to do that, to gain what, to gain power?" Mugabe said.

He said the oppositions would not gain power through staging violent protests, and blamed current economic hardships on Western sanctions and a drought.

Accusing the West of sponsoring the protests, Mugabe said his government would never tolerate violence in the country.

"We don't want to be disrespected. We are a peaceful people and we want peace in the country," he said.

Mugabe, 92, has been endorsed by his party to run for the 2018 elections when he will be 94. Endit