Share

Water cannon, police trucks at MDC HQ days after disputed Zim elections

Zimbabwean police are reportedly maintaining a 24-hour presence at the main opposition MDC head office in Harare, days after a disputed poll that returned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power for another five years.

Last week soldiers shot dead six civilians in central Harare as they crushed an opposition protest.

According to New Zimbabwe.com, Two water cannon as well as two trucks with anti-riot police remained parked in front of the MDC headquarters, with party activists saying they were there round the clock.

But the MDC said it was not bothered about the police presence.

"MDC Alliance is not bothered by that and we urge the police to stay put for as long as they wish… For us it is business as usual. They will not be noticed. We know they are hungry and they can continue receiving government handouts at the expense of democracy. All we know is that (Nelson) Chamisa won the election," MDC Alliance presidential spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda was quoted as saying.

This came as Chamisa, claimed that the government was trying to eliminate him as he prepared to challenge the result of the elections.

More dangerous situation than Iraq

"These guys are trained to kill and have been tracking me, doing all sorts of things," Chamisa told Britain's Sunday Times.

The MDC Alliance was this week likely to file a petition against Mnangagwa's victory in the constitutional court, which could delay his inauguration.

Chamisa told the Sunday Times his supporters are ready to go onto the streets, but he is wary of the repercussions.

"People are calling on me, wanting me to give the signal to go to the streets," Chamisa said. "But I am worried there will be massive bloodshed."

He added: "This is a more dangerous situation than Iraq."

Last week Chamisa's top ally, Tendai Biti, claimed he and Chamisa were potential targets of an assassination plot ordered by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. 

Chiwenga has dismissed the allegation, telling Harare's private Daily News that the claims showed Biti was "deranged" and in need of "mental evaluation".

* To follow the latest on the Zimbabwe elections SIGN UP TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
65% - 412 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
35% - 226 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.04
+0.9%
Rand - Pound
23.79
+0.7%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.7%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.8%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+1.0%
Platinum
919.10
+0.8%
Palladium
980.50
-2.4%
Gold
2,330.93
+0.7%
Silver
27.33
+0.6%
Brent Crude
88.02
-0.5%
Top 40
68,437
-0.2%
All Share
74,329
-0.3%
Resource 10
62,119
+2.8%
Industrial 25
102,531
-1.4%
Financial 15
15,802
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE