Zimbabwe opposition members granted bail

HARARE - A Zimbabwe court on Tuesday freed on bail 27 opposition supporters arrested by police last week on accusations of fomenting post-election violence.

A supporter of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance gestures the party’s symbol from inside of a prison truck following their appearance at the magistrate’s court in Harare. / AFP PHOTO / Zinyange AUNTONY

 

Magistrate Francis Vhitorini granted $50 bail to each of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) members.

Violence erupted last week after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU-PF party won a national election whose outcome the MDC disputed.

Six people were killed in an army clampdown on protests in scenes reminiscent of the long and heavy-handed rule of Robert Mugabe.

Nelson Chamisa, Mnangagwa’s main rival, is expected to mount a court challenge against the election result this week.

The MDC has said security forces were abducting its members in night raids to intimidate the party and stop it challenging Mnangagwa’s win in the presidential vote.

Zimbabwe’s foreign minister denied those accusations, telling diplomats that if there was any evidence the military would investigate the cases.

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