Police in Harare today used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds gathering for the NERA Mega Demo to demand electoral reforms. The demonstration, called by 18 political parties (including MDC-T, MDC-N, Zim PF, PDP, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, Transform Zimbabwe, Freedom Front, Zanu Ndonga, ADP, PDZ, Dare, Zim First, Zunde, FreeZim Congress) was given permission from the High Court to go ahead as planned from the open space behind Rainbow Towers. By 9 a.m there was a heavy presence of police all over Harare with multiple roadblocks on major roads leading into the Central Business District. Large stones were thrown across Rotten Row, blocking traffic. Protesters were chased away from Freedom Square and regrouped and singing in front of Rotten Row Magistrate Court. Police dispersed them from there as well. Demonstrators regrouped in small numbers singing and protesting in Harare’s Central Business District. In the High Court order giving the go ahead for the Mega Demo, Justice Mwayera ordered the police not to interfere with the demonstration and to respect the law and international statutes.
High Court clears Nera Demo. RT@elias_mambo #NewsDay #GrandDemo pic.twitter.com/70hzluBofd
— NewsDay Zimbabwe (@NewsDayZimbabwe) August 26, 2016
Riot police have just fired the first teargas as the early #NERAdemo supporters arrive. pic.twitter.com/UB3FWzZvwq
— Harare News (@hararenews) August 26, 2016
By 9 a.m there was a heavy presence of police with multiple roadblocks on major roads leading into the Central Business District. #GrandDemo
— NewsDay Zimbabwe (@NewsDayZimbabwe) August 26, 2016
There's heavy police presence here at the open space near Rainbow Towers heavily armed, water cannons, tear gasses, rifles #NERAdemo
— Open Parly ZW (@OpenParlyZw) August 26, 2016
Live pics: Water Cannons #NERAdemo @ZimPdp @mdczimbabwe @MDCPARTY @zpfgeneration @ConcernedZimCit @chigundu pic.twitter.com/UHbm51tQeH
— Open Parly ZW (@OpenParlyZw) August 26, 2016
On location :a running battle between police and protesters outside the Hre Magistrates Court. Police have fired tear gas canisters already
— 263Chat.com 🇿🇼 (@263Chat) August 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/ZimbabwePics/status/769087694265810944
Tear gas around Rotten Row area. Crowd dispurses into CBD #NERAdemo pic.twitter.com/KciOgX1oWv
— Open Parly ZW (@OpenParlyZw) August 26, 2016
How do you teargas a demonstration that hasn't started? #ThisFlag #nonsenseuponstilts
— Fadzayi Mahere🇿🇼 (@advocatemahere) August 26, 2016
Protesters are being chased away from Freedom Square and are now regrouping and singing in front of Rotten Row Magistrate Court #GrandDemo
— NewsDay Zimbabwe (@NewsDayZimbabwe) August 26, 2016
Rotten row road closed pic.twitter.com/qZtto5CSdO
— 263Chat.com 🇿🇼 (@263Chat) August 26, 2016
Crowd gathering and singing far away from the police and tear gas #NERAdemo pic.twitter.com/Qr2Uem5FZ5
— Open Parly ZW (@OpenParlyZw) August 26, 2016
In giving the go ahead for #NeraDemo, High Court Justice Mwayera ordered police not to interfere with demonstration #MegaDemo @BitiTendai
— Kubatana (@kubatana) August 26, 2016
Helicopters hover around #FreedomSquare where the #Megademo protestors are gathered.
— DailyNewsZim (@DailyNewsZim) August 26, 2016
If 150,000 people were mobilised for the #MegaDemo where have they all gone? @NeraZimbabwe @ZimPeopleFirst @mdczimbabwe #NERAdemo
— Kubatana (@kubatana) August 26, 2016
Helicopters hover around #FreedomSquare where the #Megademo protestors are gathered.
— DailyNewsZim (@DailyNewsZim) August 26, 2016
#DRJTRMUJURU at the #FreedomSquare before water canons were used disperse a rather peaceful gathering. pic.twitter.com/ZIUdCeNLs6
— ZimPF_YOUTHWING (@ZimPF_Youthwing) August 26, 2016
#Police now using water Canons to break the #Megademo. Its now Executive vs Judiciary
— ZimPF_YOUTHWING (@ZimPF_Youthwing) August 26, 2016
From an apper: "#megademo poorly organised. Civic groups like @TajamukaZW #ThisFlag organise better. Next time leaders must engage them."
— Kubatana (@kubatana) August 26, 2016
#Police shown High Court order clearing the #Megademo but they refuse to accept. pic.twitter.com/8lZpxrA7a7
— DailyNewsZim (@DailyNewsZim) August 26, 2016
ICYMI Groups gathered in various areas around Rotten row after police fired tear gas and water canons #NERAdemo pic.twitter.com/FzYP6dhItz
— Open Parly ZW (@OpenParlyZw) August 26, 2016