Three die in Zimbabwe vote unrest
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Three people died and scores of others were injured on Wednesday when protesting opposition supporters clashed with army and police in the capital city.
Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba confirmed the deaths in the violence which also left property destroyed.
She warned leaders of the opposition MDC Alliance against inciting its supporters to engage in violent activities.
Scores of opposition supporters took to the streets of Harare to protest against the delay in announcement of presidential election results as well as alleged rigging of the vote.
"The police condemns in the strongest terms acts of vandalism and hooliganism that occurred in Harare. As investigations continue, we urge members of the public to remain calm and peaceful and not to be persuaded or coerced into engaging in acts of violence," Charamba said.
She said police were keen to interview leaders of the MDC Alliance in connection with the deadly protests.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa called on Zimbabweans to remain calm and peaceful as the nation awaits announcement of all election results.
He blamed the MDC Alliance leadership for causing the protests.
"The incidents of violence and hooliganism which broke out in the afternoon came as a complete surprise," he said.
"We hold the opposition MDC Alliance leadership responsible for this disturbance of national peace which is meant to disrupt the electoral process," Mnangagwa said.
"We hold the party and its leadership responsible for any loss of life, injury or damage to property which arises from political violence which they have aided and abetted."
Nkululeko Sibanda, the spokesperson for the MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa, said the party regretted the deaths during the protests and criticized the security forces for using excessive force to quell the protests.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that China had noted reports of the unrest after the election and called on related parties to "maintain the peace" together.
"We hope related parties in Zimbabwe can attach most importance to the interests of the nation and the people, and make joint efforts to maintain the peace, stability and development of Zimbabwe," he said.
Xinhua and Mo Jingxi contributed to this story.
(China Daily 08/03/2018 page11)
