Impact on elections

The London-based Economist Intelligence Unit, reporting on the "disastrous" international impact of the land invasions, said: "There are worries also that the war veterans intend to stay on the farms until the elections, thereby intimidating voters into supporting the ruling party."

Tsvangirai alleged that the government was "trying to create a state of anarchy so it can declare a state of emergency" prior to the elections. Zimbabwe's draconian public order laws gives the government sweeping powers. Tsvangirai said the MDC backed the call for election monitors. "We encourage all international observers to come here - it's the government that won't
accept," he told IRIN.

Reuters reported that church groups and business leaders have called on the government to end the violence to allow free and fair elections. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe warned: "Unless the government upholds the rule of law by bringing to book those who practice all forms of violence, the nation will slide into anarchy."