Zimbabwe’s opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) demanded nationwide anti-government protests Friday following the recent disputed elections in the southern African nation.
“We urge everyone to be non-confrontational. The protests are up to the people whose vote should just find expression,” said CCC spokesperson Promise Mkhwananzi.
But President Emmerson Mnangagwa threatened to crackdown on anyone who would challenge his election win
“We are going forward with our development program, we will not stop our development programs because of some little boys. I warn anybody who may want to bring any chaos in this country we are ready. Whoever shall preach hate speech will be responsible for their hate speech. Our prisons are not full,” Mnangagwa told supporters Thursday.
But Mkhwananzi did not seem to be fazed by Mnangagwa’s threats.
“There is no need for Mnangagwa to issue threats to the people of Zimbabwe if he knows that he truly won the elections. The threats are a clear indication that he did not win the elections and is prepared to use force to stay against the will of the people of Zimbabwe. We are a peaceful and non-violent party,” he said.
Mkhwananzi’s party defied the threats and also asked activists to launch online campaigns and share evidence of voting malpractice.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission late Saturday pronounced Mnangagwa the winner of the disputed elections with 52.6% of the vote. His closest rival, Nelson Chamis of the CCC garnered 44%.
Regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community and the African Union have issued damning reports about Zimbabwe’s latest plebiscite which international election observers agreed was marred by irregularities.
The opposition has demanded new elections and urged the disbanding of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which it accused of rigging the polls in favor of Mnangagwa.