Zimbabwe Elections: Opposition supporters arraigned in court as calm returns

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Europe

02:21

To Zimbabwe now, where twenty-four opposition supporters arrested after Wednesday's deadly clashes have been remanded in custody until Monday. They appeared in court Saturday facing charges of public violence. Farai Mwakutuya has more.

Sixteen men and eight women arrested for participating in Wednesday's violent protest will spend another 48 hours behind bars after their bail hearing failed to take off at Harare Magistrates Court, which was overwhelmed by a backlog of work. Lawyers representing them say they have no case to answer.

DENFORD HALIMANI LAWYER OF ARRESTED MDC SUPPORTERS "The instruction we have is that our clients are completely innocent and we are obviously going to challenge these allegations when the matter is tried. Definitely, our clients have nothing to do with whatever is alleged to have occurred on the day in question."

Activity has begun picking up again in Harare's CBD which had remained quieter than usual following the clashes.

FARAI MWAKUTUYA HARARE "Shops that had shut and street vendors who's stayed away are back but they say things aren't quite back to normal just yet. People here are unsure how long the peace will hold."

TINAYE KADEMAUNGA STREET VENDOR "We are still afraid, we could be chased away again at any time."

Security has been high as tensions mount over disputed presidential election results. Kademaunga wants the country to move on and hopes for a brighter future.

TINAYE KADEMAUNGA STREET VENDOR "We want to get off the streets and get proper jobs. We don't enjoy this. We have qualifications and we want to get jobs in line with those qualifications."

On Friday President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa encouraged opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to call for peace - a move welcomed by international observers monitoring the delicate post election environment.

MARK STEVENS DEPUTY CHIEF OBSERVER, EU OBSERVER MISSION "Anything which can lead to sort of calm situation after the election will be a good thing but it's up to the people and politicians of Zimbabwe to work out the best way for that to occur."

Mnangagwa says the opposition should pursue any election challenges in the courts. Farai Mwakutuya, CGTN, Harare, Zimbabwe.