Police officers had to move in and disperse MDC supporters in central Harare on Wednesday, otherwise, there was going to be chaos.
These were the sentiments expressed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi Mangwana. He said:
MDC was asked to move its programme to the Showgrounds, but they insisted on holding it in the streets of Harare outside its headquarters.
They were told not to obstruct roads and get in (party headquarters) but again resisted. If the police had not moved them, there was going to be chaos.
MDC supporters had gathered at the party’s headquarters to listen to party leader Nelson Chamisa’s Hope of the Nation Address (HONA).
However, anti-riot police descended heavily on the crowds and passers-by, using batons, sjamboks and water canon. The skirmishes left dozens of people with broken limbs.