HARARE, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper on Monday issued a strong warning to perceived authors of civil unrest, particularly the main opposition MDC Alliance, that the government will descend heavily on them since violence cannot be tolerated further.
The government has accused the MDC-Alliance and its partners, including the labor body Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, of having spearheaded the Jan. 14-16 demonstrations that later turned violent as rioters began looting shops and destroying government property.
The largest circulating daily newspaper in the country said the opposition had "chosen a very dangerous path of violence in an effort to win power which has eluded them in democratic ways in the last 20 years."
The paper said it has noticed renewed vigor by the "Western-funded party" to make the country ungovernable.
"No Government in any part of the world can watch while people torch police stations and target armories in search of weapons, as witnessed in the violent demonstrations of mid-January...
"Once we reach such levels, then government knows it is no longer dealing with an ordinary demonstrator who has a genuine grievance.
"In such cases, the State always reacts accordingly to protect the integrity of the country and other citizens who become victims of lawlessness," the paper said.
It said it would be naïve for the opposition to think they can take violence to the government and expect to be treated lightly.
"Our advice to those who intend to participate in future violent demonstrations is that they should be well aware that apart from facing the wrath of the law, they can be left with permanent scars, both physically and mentally," it said.
