security forces are limited to reasonable and proportionate measures respecting human rights. Further, the excessive use of force must not be tolerated. President Mnangagwa’s immediate reaction on Facebook to the 1 August disproportional use of force by members of the presidential guard also indicated he might have not been informed about the deployment of the military to supress the demonstration. In his statement on ZBC he held the MDC-Alliance leadership accountable for the violence, damage of property, and loss of lives. At a press conference on 3 August, he called for calm and unity and urged the nation to move beyond the tragic events. He also promised an independent investigation into the violent events, indicating later the investigation would start only after his inauguration. On 5 August, the ZDF and ZRP issued a joint statement denouncing social media reports suggesting that the army had declared a national shutdown urging people not to report for work and stated that “such propaganda is meant to incite public violence and tarnish the image of Zimbabwe Defence Forces”. A second joint statement on 7 August denied involvement of the security forces in the violent crackdown on opposition as reported on social media and by international and domestic press.82 In a series of public statements, MDC-Alliance claimed that the presidential election results had been manipulated and that Nelson Chamisa has won the election. On 3 August Nelson Chamisa accepted the parliamentary results, but accused ZANU-PF of fraud in the presidential elections, calling the results “a coup against the will of the people.” The party accused the government of suppressing opposition supporters and harassing MDC-Alliance polling agents in order “to ensure that people are denied the chance to challenge the election results”.83 Riot police sealed off the MDC-Alliance headquarters on 1 August, with party agents and employees reportedly in charge of voter tabulation locked inside. On 2 August, the police stormed the building and confiscated equipment and computers, including some V11 forms. They arrested 27 persons and charged them with “inciting violence” and “possession of dangerous weapons”. Police patrols and water cannons located in front of the MDCAlliance Headquarters were removed on 6 August and the 27 detained party staff members were released on bail one day later. Warrants for the arrest of nine senior party officials were issued, including for Tendai Biti.84 Subsequently it appeared that much of the MDC-Alliance leadership had left the public domain and went into hiding. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission published a statement on 10 August “on the 2018 harmonised elections and the post-election environment” which included confirmation that members of the public were assaulted by people in military uniforms who were moving around in military trucks. Their investigations related to the situation in Kuwadzana and Warren Park in Harare as well as Chitungwiza. Additional investigations by the ZHRC established that there had 82 Joint ZDF ZRP Statement 7 August 2018 MDC Election Bulletin Issue 19 84 The Herald of 7 August published the names of nine senior MDC-Alliance officials wanted by the ZRP: Tendai Biti, Morgan Komichi, Happymore Chidziva, Jim Kunaka, Paddington Japajapa, Mafaiti Mubaiwa, Jeff Tafadzwa Chaitezvi, Lovejoy Chitengu and Chamunorwa Madya. The Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson stated the nine were “wanted by the Criminal Investigations Department for contravening section 37 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9.23”. The MDC Alliance officials are accused on “participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry”. Biti was eventually controversially deported from Zambia and brought back to Harare and charged with illegally issuing the election results. The case continues. 83 39