Post-Election Unrest Turned Deadly in Zimbabwe

At least three people have been killed in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare on Wednesday following Zimbabwe’s presidential election. Soldiers and police fought battles with hundreds of protesters, firing live ammunition, teargas and water cannon creates growing tension.
The country’s ruling Zanu-PF party won a sweeping majority in parliament, electoral officials said, amid growing anger among opposition supporters over the outcome of the country’s first election since the toppling of veteran leader Robert Mugabe.
Security forces reportedly fired live ammunition, water cannons and tear gas into crowds of demonstrators in what the justice minister termed a bid to restore “peace and tranquility.”
In a late-night press conference, Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu warned that the government “will not tolerate any of the actions that were witnessed today.”
“The opposition… have perhaps interpreted our understanding to be weak, and I think they are testing our resolve and I think they are making a big mistake,” he said.
The government says the army was deployed in central Harare to help police restore order.
The opposition MDC Alliance condemned the crackdown, saying it was a reminder of the “dark days” of Robert Mugabe’s rule.
It alleges that the governing Zanu-PF party has rigged Monday’s elections.
Parliamentary results show Zanu-PF heading for a big majority in the first elections since long-serving ruler Mr Mugabe was ousted from power.
European Union monitors have expressed concern over the length of time it is taking to declare the presidential result.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the army had been deployed in Harare to disperse a violent crowd and to restore “peace and tranquillity”.
He added: “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.”
>Juthy Saha