Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE, AFP) BLAST: Papers lie strewn on an office floor after a bomb ripped through the Harare

BLAST: Papers lie strewn on an office floor after a bomb ripped through the Harare Central Police Station on Saturday evening
Last updated: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:32:45 GMT

A BOMB blast at Harare's main police station damaged offices but there were no casualties, authorities said Sunday, as talks on resolving Zimbabwe's political crisis were set to resume. "A bomb exploded at Harare central police station on Saturday at about 1845 hours (1645 GMT)," national police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said in a statement.

"The army bomb disposal unit summoned to the scene recovered the remains of a detonated explosive and one live explosive."

He said the explosives had been "planted" in the first floor which houses offices of the criminal investigation department, adding that 13 offices and a communal kitchen were affected.

"Doors and furniture were flung open by the force of the explosion and items of furniture were strewn all over the floor," Bvudzijena said, adding that nobody was hurt in the blast.

The police complex is adjacent to one of the capital's busiest bus stations.

The explosion came hours before negotiators for the ruling and opposition parties were due to resume talks on Sunday for a power-sharing government to end Zimbabwe's political crisis.

A spate of fire bombings occurred last year targetting police stations, with police blaming the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party, which rejected the claims. - AFP

Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 5:51 AM