President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned that he will use the hard hand on opposition members bent on what he called “inciting anarchy” in this year’s harmonised election period.

Addressing thousands of his ZANU PF supporters at a rally at Mubaira Growth Point on Tuesday, Mnangagwa warned that those who cause chaos would be dealt with.

“If anyone causes anarchy, the rule of law will prevail. We will not allow chaos in our country. We want peace. All those that are contesting are encouraged to contest in peace because we want law and order in our country.

“People should be allowed to do what they want, while respecting others and respecting peace.”

Referring to weekend statements by the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa Mnangagwa said;

“We now have a certain party that says it wants to shut down Harare and to shut down the country. God forbid! We have asked ourselves what this small party intends to do and how it intends to do it and on what grounds. Kana wangova mukaka wawadya, ingodya mukaka wako ugute zvakanaka.

“We are preaching peace and we are saying everyone, including this small party, has the freedom to go around the country to woo the people’s vote. No one will stop any party from asking the people to vote for them.

“They are free to do so because we have created a democratic space to allow every party to go to the people and campaign freely but they should do so freely. We do not have a problem with those who say peace is OK.”

The President said his Government had opened the door to observers from all over the world to observe the elections because the country was now “mature and had come of age” in implementing democracy.

“We have opened the avenues for observers from the EU, Britain, America, Asia and so forth.

“They are free to come and observe our elections because our elections are going to be free, fair, transparent and credible. So we will not deny anyone the opportunity to do what they are doing.