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Tsvangirai did not comment on his detention on Friday. But local news reports, the police had advised the MDC not to go ahead with the rally. The warning came after Zimbabwe police said last month they would use special powers to crack down on rising political violence by restricting the activities of political parties.
Zimbabwe Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri said the pre-independence Law and Order Maintenance Act gave police the power to restrict the movement of party supporters and ban public gatherings that threatened law and order. The special powers make it illegal to ferry supporters to meetings, public gatherings or processions unless such events are being officiated by presidents of political parties, Chihuri said.
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