The army is patrolling the streets of the Zimbabwean capital Harare, one day after three people were shot dead when soldiers and police fought running battles with hundreds of protesters, firing live ammunition, teargas and water cannon.

Less than 72 hours after polls closed in Zimbabwe’s presidential election – the first since the fall of Robert Mugabe last year, and billed as the beginning of a new era for the impoverished country – soldiers warned the few office workers and vendors around to go home. The main post office, banks and many shops were closed on Thursday. Traffic remained light and military helicopter flew overhead, with scattered debris and scorch marks betraying the scenes of violence from the day before. “We are scared,” said Mildred Masara, a hotel worker. “We don’t know what’s going to happen now. I have to earn a living but I would like to be at home now.”(theguardian)…[+]