Zimbabwe sets army on protesting civilians

HARARE: Zimbabwe’s capital descended into chaos yesterday as hundreds of opposition supporters protested over the results of this week’s elections and soldiers fired live rounds and tear gas to disperse them, killing three.

The demonstrations were concentrated around the Harare International Conference Centre, where the election tallies were being collated and announced. The main gate was sealed off by two water cannons backed up by scores of riot police, carrying shields and batons. The protesters used rocks and tree branches to barricade roads, and upended rubbish bins. Police sirens could be heard across the city centre.

Three news photographers said they’d seen people being shot with live rounds and displayed the pictures on their cameras. Armed personnel carriers mounted with water can nons drove through the streets of the city, and a military helicopter circled overhead. Later in the afternoon, about 30 troops walked the streets surrounding the convention centre, clearing away rocks and other debris.

The army’s presence on the streets is to ensure law and order is maintained, not to intimidate people, Justice Min ister Ziyambi Ziyambi told eNCA, a Johannesburgbased broadcaster.

While the election campaign and Monday’s balloting was largely peaceful, opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa alleged there had been an attempt to rig the outcome in favour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose ruling party has won a majority in the parliamentary vote.

The vote was the first since the ruling party forced Robert Mugabe to quit as president after 37 years in office after the military briefly seized control of the country.

‘‘Violence is never acceptable,’’ Fadzai Mahere, an independent parliamentary candidate and lawyer who lost her bid for a seat in Harare, said in a Twitter posting. ‘‘However, law enforcement is the role of the police force in terms of the constitution. It is unbelievable that, on day one, before the sun has set, they’d unleash the army on civilians.’’— Bloomberg News

❛ It is unbelievable that, on day one, before the sun has set, they’d unleash the army on

civilians

PHOTOS: REUTERS Soldiers beat a supporter of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change outside the party’s headquarters in Harareon Wednesday.

A supporter of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party of Nelson Chamisa wears a cone as protesters block a street in Harare.

A soldier opens fire to disperse crowds of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change supporters outside the party’s headquarters in Harare