Police battle Zim protesters

RIOT police in Zimbabwe fired tear gas, beat up several people and blocked off the site of an opposition demonstration yesterday.

The rally – which was authorised by a court – was to demand electoral reforms before 2018 when 92-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for decades, will seek re-election.

An AFP correspondent saw armed police firing tear gas at protesters who were gathered on the fringes of Harare’s central business district while waiting for court ruling to allow march to go ahead.

The protesters fought back by throwing stones at police while some set tyres ablaze and others pulled down the sign for a street named after Mugabe.

High court judge Hlekani Mwayera allowed the march organised by 18 opposition parties including the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the Zimbabwe People First formed this year by former vice-president Joice Mujuru. the the

The move to seek court backing came a day after police violently put down another march by opposition youths, firing tear gas and water cannon and beating them as they staged a protest against police brutality.

Zimbabwe’s last elections in 2013 were won by Mugabe in a vote the opposition said was rigged.

Mugabe, in power since 1980, has overseen an economic collapse that has caused food and cash shortages, with the state battling to pay public servants. — AFP