President vows to hold inquiry after Zimbabwe protesters killed
ZIMBABWE’S President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised an independent inquiry into post-election clashes in which three opposition protesters were killed.
Mr Mnangagwa, whose ruling Zanu PF party yesterday claimed a large majority in disputed parliamentary elections, said he had been in contact with the leader of the opposition MDC Alliance in a bid to defuse tensions.
“I am calling...for an independent inquiry into what occurred in Harare yesterday. We believe in transparency and accountability, and those responsible should be identified and brought to justice,” he wrote on his official Twitter channel.
“We have been in communication with Nelson Chamisa to discuss how to immediately diffuse the situation, and we must maintain this dialogue in order to protect the peace we hold dear.”
A spokesman for Mr Chamisa said he was not at liberty to confirm or deny whether such talks had taken place.
Troops backed by armoured vehicles opened fire on Wednesday to clear the capital’s streets of demonstrators who accused Mr Mnangagwa’s ruling party of trying to rig Monday’s presidential election.
Many shops were closed yesterday morning and the pavements were quiet. Several streets were still strewn with rocks and the charred remains of fires. Soldiers loitered at intersections.
“Yesterday was a very sad day for Zimbabwe,” said minibus driver Gift, glancing over his shoulder as a soldier smoking a cigarette looked on.
“We hope things remain quiet and we can all just forget about this election. We don’t know if it was fair. The government will do what they want.”
The deployment of soldiers and their shooting and beating of unarmed protesters is likely to set back efforts to end Zimbabwe’s pariah status in the wake of the army’s removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe in a coup last November.
Mr Mnangagwa blamed the violence on the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, led by Mr Chamisa, who announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he had “won the popular vote”. Mr Chamisa provided no details or concrete evidence of rigging.
Amnesty International called on the government to launch a prompt investigation into the army’s actions.
“It is unfortunate that this election has descended into bloodshed, which could have been avoided if security forces had exercised restraint against protesters,” the London-based human rights organisation said.
It said that by using live ammunition against unarmed protesters, “the army has broken the very same rule of law that they should protect”.
A lawyer in Zimbabwe said police are investigating Mr Chamisa and others for allegedly inciting violence.
A copy of the warrant says Mr Chamisa and several others including opposition politician Tendai Biti, are suspected of the crimes of “possession of dangerous weapons” and “public violence”.
Mr Chamisa attacked what he called the “violent government” after the military crackdown on his supporters, some of whom were rioting during protests.
He spoke during a visit to a Harare hospital where some of the injured and three dead were taken after Wednesday’s election-related violence in the streets of the capital.
“We have unarmed civilians being attacked,” Mr Chamisa said. “Is that normal even in a banana republic?”
He said he has not received any communication from Mr Mnangagwa, who has said his government was in touch with Mr Chamisa about calming tensions.