LIVE: #Zimbabwe elections: Police with batons, shields break up MDC press conference

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8 years ago

Source: LIVE: #Zimbabwe elections: Police with batons, shields break up MDC press conference | News24

Zimbabwean police with batons and shields have broken up a press conference by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who has alleged rigging of the presidential election.

Last Updated at 15:20

Earlier supporters gathered outside told journalists they were ready to shed blood for Chamisa. – Carien du Plessis

Sibanda says he is just going to debrief now and ensure that he is safe – Carien du Plessis

Chamisa walks in to applause. Some supporters come in from outside with journalists. They are now singing – Carien du Plessis

MDC spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda confirms to journalists now press conference is going ahead and Chamisa is now on his way – Carien du-Plessis

Journalists asked to go back into hotel now as police trucks are leaving. Carien du Plessis

MDC supporters are now dancing and chanting around the police truck as police get on and then off again.

The public order act prohibits political gatherings. Police don’t seem to be acting. There is a host of local and international journalists on scene – Carien du Plessis

“I’m told it was apparently a misunderstanding. Police claim to have thought this was a political gathering. Police had to be convinced that this was a press conference and we are now back inside the hotel grounds.” – Carien du Plessis

Zimbabwe anti-riot personnel arrive at The Bronte Hotel in Harare where international journalists and observers are gathered for a press conference by MDC leader Nelson Chamisa. (AFP)

Zimbabwe anti-riot personnel (REAR) deploy at The Bronte Hotel in Harare where international journalists and observers are gathered for a press conference by MDC leader Nelson Chamisa. (AFP)

A truck with more riot policemen has arrived and there is also a water cannon outside – Carien du Plessis

One reporter said she was charged by a baton-yielding policeman – Carien du Plessis

Police now seem to be negotiating with Chamisa’s lawyer

Bronte Hotel is where many of the foreign reporters as well as some observers from the Commonwealth’s mission are staying. – Carien du Plessis

Police came into Bronte Hotel where journalists were waiting for Nelson Chamisa’s press conference to start and ordered journalists out of the hotel in a threatening manner.

Everyone is outside the hotel in the street. Carien du Plessis

See this picture gallery of Zanu-PF supporters celebrating President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s victory.

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Zimbabwean police with batons and shields have broken up a press conference by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who has alleged rigging of the presidential election.

Police have chased away reporters without explanation.

There is no sign of Chamisa. – AP

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Just before announcing the results, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chief Priscilla Chigumba made a passionate plea for the country to remember the upbeat and peaceful atmosphere of polling day.

“It is my most humble wish that we as Zimbabweans should continue in this spirit that we had on election day and that we should move on in this spirit,” Chigumba said, before declaring Emmerson Mnangagwa the winner in the early hours of Friday.

But the election that ZEC ran has done little to build confidence that Zimbabwe has entered a new era of free and transparent voting after autocratic leader Robert Mugabe was ousted last year. – AFP

There are reports that riot police are trying to force journalists to leave Bronte Hotel where Nelson Chamisa is set to to give a press conference

Eye Witness News is reporting that the MDC is set to announce its own presidential results soon.

This is despite the declaration by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that President Emmerson Mnangagwa won the election.

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