HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai asked their respective parties to shun violence on Friday, a rare expression of unity between the political rivals. It came after disturbances Sunday between Mugabe's Zanu PF party and Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change in Chitungwiza near the capital of Harare. About 30 MDC supporters were injured after suspected Zanu PF militia had disrupted a rally where Tsvangirai was scheduled to speak. The two men have different takes on who might be to blame for the violence. Tsvangirai accused the police chief, Augustine Chihuri, an ally of Mugabe, of asking police to protect only Zanu PF supporters. Mugabe defended police, saying MDC had barred officers from attending its events.
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Mugabe is the longtime leader of Zimbabwe
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He and Tsvangirai are longtime political rivals
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Disturbances on Sunday injured MDC supporters
Zanu PF
Zanu PF
Zanu PF
I have brought before him the blood unnecessarily shed in our communities simply because of one is @placeholder and the other is MDC," he said.
Movement for Democratic Change
MDC
MDC
MDC
Speaking to the leadership of Zanu PF and @placeholder, Mugabe said, "Let us walk the talk of peace.
Morgan Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
He said he has been discussing the issue with @placeholder at their weekly meetings.
Morgan Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
Tsvangirai
In 2008, political violence ahead of the presidential run-off resulted in @placeholder pulling out, citing violent attacks and intimidation by the militia of Mugabe's faction.