Mugabe raises fear of election violence

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe branded opposition supporters as traitors yesterday, raising fears of political violence ahead of Zimbabwe's general election.

"All those who will vote for the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) are traitors," Mugabe told a ruling ZANU-PF party rally at Mutoko, 90 miles north-east of Harare.

Similar comments by the president in the past have encouraged party and youth militias to take violent action against opposition supporters and candidates.