Gunfire amid Zim protest over ‘rigged’ poll
HARARE: Automatic gunfire crackled in Zimbabwe’s capital as soldiers dispersed protesters who clashed with police after the main opposition leader accused the ruling party of trying to rig the election.
At least one person was shot dead by soldiers near a bus rank, witnesses said.
EU observers questioned the conduct of Monday’s presidential and parliamentary election, Zimbabwe’s first since Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in a de facto coup after nearly 40 years in power. The observers expressed concern about delays in releasing the poll results.
Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa said on Twitter he had won the “popular vote” in which he challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa from the ruling Zanu-PF party. Mnangagwa also tweeted, urging calm and patience before the results were announced.
Opposition supporters burnt tyres in the centre of Harare, blocking some streets and engaging in running battles with police who fired water cannon to disperse them.
Soldiers arrived in several armoured personnel carriers and gunfire was heard.
The electoral commission said it would start announcing results from yesterday, but election officials said they would announce the results from today.
“I was making a peaceful protest. I was beaten by soldiers,” Norest Kemvo, who had gashes to his face and right hand. “This is exactly why we wanted change.”
Another protester, Colbert Mugwenhi said: “We had no weapons. Why are the army here beating us, shooting us?”
A Reuters witness saw soldiers with sticks beat two people and counted at least five trucks full of soldiers. “We are tired of them stealing our votes. This time we will fight,” said a protester with an MDC beret.
EU chief observer Elmar Brok said he did not yet know if the shortcomings would have a material effect on the poll outcome. The longer the results took, the more they lacked credibility, he said.