Mugabe Govt finds arms

Press, 9 February 1982, Page 8

Mugabe Govt finds arms

' NZPA-Reuter Salisbury The Zimbabwean Prime Minister (Mr Robert Mugabe) was quoted yesterday as saying that the discovery of vast stores of weapons on a farm owned by the Z.A.P.U. party of Joshua' Nkomo indicated that Z.A.P.U. members planned to take over the Government. “I warned the elements responsible that if they wish to start another war they should be careful," Mr Mugabe said according to .the national news agency, Ziana. Mr Mugabe, addressing a political rally at Norton 40km west ‘of Salisbury accused the Zimbabwe African People's Union, the junior partner in the ruling coalition of buying farms to use,as arms dumps. "They joined us in Government just to string along while planning for an eventual take over of the Government.” Ziana quoted,;him as saying ■ ■ • '

Arms were still being unearthed at Ascot farm, north of Bulawayo, and another Z.A.P.U.-owned farm in the area was also being searched, the agency said.

The discovery of arms at the farm and in underground caches in the bush near the site of a former guerrilla assembly' camp was announced at .the week-end by the Minister of State responsible, ‘for security (Mr Emmerson Munangagwa).

The haul included 3000 automatic rifles, 1700 pistols and undisclosed quantities of anti-aircraft weapons, landmines and mortars he said.

Army sources believe that the weapons unearthed were buried soon after an outbreak of clashes a year ago between Z.A.P.U.'s . former military wing, the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army, and former guerrillas from what was then Mr Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National. Liberation Army.