Share

Zimbabwe to release election shooting probe next week

Zimbabwe's president Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday that a report probing deadly election violence when soldiers opened fire on protesters would be released next week.

The shootings triggered international outrage and undermined Mnangagwa's attempts to present the July election as a fresh start for Zimbabwe after the brutality of his predecessor Robert Mugabe.

Addressing the ruling Zanu-PF party's annual conference, Mnangagwa deplored the protests, which he has blamed on the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

"I have since received the report of the commission of inquiry and will be making it public next week," Mnangagwa said, adding that he and his two deputies were analysing the report written by a panel that he instituted.

Six people were killed and several others were wounded when soldiers opened fire on August 1 at protesters demonstrating in Harare against delays in announcing the vote results.

Officials previously said the report might not be published.

Mnangagwa appointed former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe to lead a seven-member team to investigate the killings.

Witnesses including opposition politicians and relatives of the deceased gave testimonies to the inquiry, which has been accused of being a whitewash.

* Sign up to News24's top Africa news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook.

Army commanders told the commission that soldiers did not fire at protesters, drawing widespread criticism.

At the first Zanu-PF conference since the July 30 elections, Mnangagwa also ruled out a unity government with MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who says he won the election.

"We were given a mandate to govern for the next five years. Full stop... no government of national unity," Mnangagwa said in Esigodini, outside the second city of Bulawayo.

Mnangagwa succeeded long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, who was ousted in November 2017 following a brief military takeover.

Last month he said the former president, 94, who ruled for 37 years, was now unable to walk and had been receiving treatment in Singapore.

Mugabe was due to return home two weeks ago, but his whereabouts is not known.

Mnangagwa has vowed to revive Zimbabwe's ruined economy and attract foreign investors, but shortages of fuel, bread and daily essentials in recent months have exposed the country's dire financial situation.

Under the theme "Zimbabwe is open for business", about 6 000 delegates wearing party regalia emblazoned with Mnangagwa's portrait chanted slogans supporting the president.

Mnangagwa, 76, is an army-backed veteran party loyalist who previously served as Mugabe's vice president.

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
Do airplane mishaps have any effect on which airline you book your flights with?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, these things happen. I pick based on price
50% - 426 votes
Yes, my safety matters. I don't take any chances
50% - 434 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.14
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.81
-0.4%
Rand - Euro
20.46
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.3%
Platinum
922.80
-0.9%
Palladium
1,027.00
+1.1%
Gold
2,315.81
-0.5%
Silver
27.09
-0.3%
Brent Crude
87.00
-0.3%
Top 40
68,051
+0.8%
All Share
74,011
+0.6%
Resource 10
59,613
-2.2%
Industrial 25
102,806
+1.7%
Financial 15
15,897
+1.8%
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