HARARE: Several thousand anti-government demonstrators marched through the capital of Zimbabwe on Thursday, closely watched by armed police in the first rally since a deadly crackdown on an election protest in August.
Singing and waving placards denouncing President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the protesters gathered in the centre of Harare before streaming through the city’s streets.
The event, held with police approval, was organised by the main opposition MDC party, which says it was cheated of victory in the July 30 election, eight months after long-time leader Robert Mugabe was ousted.
In a demonstration just days after the election, six people died when security forces opened fire on protesters, undermining Mnangagwa’s efforts to present the vote as a fresh start for the nation after years of repression under Mugabe.
“Mnangagwa must go,” read one banner at Thursday’s protest alongside others reading “You stole my vote, please give it back” as well as slogans demanding justice over the election shootings.
Much of the marchers’ anger was focused on Zimbabwe’s renewed economic problems, with people struggling to cope with dramatic price rises and severe shortages of essentials like bread, cooking oil and petrol.
The protesters chanted praise for MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who claims he was the rightful winner of the election.
“Zimbabweans are suffering. The country has no fuel,” he told the crowds.
“When we united against Mugabe. We did not expect this (crisis). Our lives are worse off.
“We are not going to fight Mr Mnangagwa with guns because we do not believe in guns,” Chamisa added, with the event passing off peacefully.
— AFP
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