Mugabe urges end to violence, Tsvangirai seeks justice

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on Friday called for an end to political violence and committed his party to campaigning peacefully as the country marked the start of a national reconciliation process.

The southern African country was plunged into violence last year as Mugabe fought to reclaim power in a run-off vote after being defeated by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister in a new unity government.

The formation of the new administration in February has eased political tensions although the MDC says some of its members continue to be targeted by Mugabe's ZANU-PF members in the countryside.

"There are still reported cases of political violence and these must stop," Mugabe said during a ceremony marking three days to observe national healing and reconciliation.

"We will commit members of our party in observation of the principles of non-violence. You should not succeed through violence but the efficacy of your political theory and your campaign," the veteran leader said.

Zimbabwe has had a history of political violence starting from the colonial days and after independence in 1980 when a special military unit led a crackdown against what it branded an insurgency in the Western parts of the country leaving thousands dead.

Civic groups say up to 20,000 people, mostly civilians were killed, but Mugabe, who has previously described the period as "a moment of madness", says the figures are exaggerated.

The southern African country was again plunged into political violence from 2000 when veterans of the liberation struggle started seizing white-owned commercial farms, killing dozens of farmers and opposition supporters in the process.