3 killed in MDC protest
HARARE: Zimbabwe’s capital city was on a knife’s edge last night after three people were killed and scores injured in violent protests, allegedly by supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance.
They took to the streets demonstrating against the governing Zanu-PF’s landslide victory in Monday’s elections for parliament.
Results for the presidency were still outstanding.
Zanu-PF has romped to victory in 146 constituencies, with the MDC Alliance clinching 60, the National Patriotic Font one seat and another for an independent, according to figures released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
Police had their hands full and were pelted with stones and other objects.
They were joined by the army to quell the violence which led to a lock-down in the city.
Gunfire crackled in the streets while troops backed by armoured vehicles and a military helicopter cleared the streets.
Demonstrators barricaded the street leading to the Rainbow Towers – where election results were being announced – before being dispersed by the police.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the army had been called in to ensure “peace and tranquillity”.
“The presence of the army is not to intimidate people but to ensure that law and order is maintained. They are there to assist the police,” Ziyambi said in an interview broadcast on eNCA television. “They are there as a people’s army to ensure that peace and security prevail.”
Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said troops were deployed at their request because they could not cope with the violence. They would remain under police command.
The MDC’s presidential hopeful, Nelson Chamisa, had claimed victory earlier this week, even before all the votes had been cast or results declared.
He took to Twitter yesterday to thank Zimbabweans who supported him and voted for him: “Thank you Zimbabwe… I’m humbled by the support you have given to me as a Presidential Candidate. We have won the popular vote. You voted for total Change in this past election.We have won this one together. No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL #Godisinit.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa tweeted: “At this crucial time I call on everyone to desist from provocative declarations and statements. We must all demonstrate patience and maturity, and act in a way that puts our people and their safety first. Now is the time for responsibility and, above all, peace.”
The government has blamed the MDC for the deadly protests.
“We hold the opposition MDC Alliance and its whole leadership responsible for this disturbance of national peace which was meant to disrupt the electoral process,” said Mnangagwa.
Earlier, the Southern African Development Community, the AU and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa endorsed Zimbabwe’s election, saying it opened new opportunities and marked new opportunities for the country.
Addressing journalists, the SADC Election Observer Mission said that despite findings such as delays in the release of the voters roll, lack of transparency in the printing and procurement of election material as well as having a ballot paper layout which favoured one candidate over others, the election “represented a political watershed in the history of the country”, saying this opened a new chapter.