BREAKING: Zanu-PF WIN Zimbabwe election as Mnangagwa becomes President – confirmed

Emerson Mnangagwa has beaten MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa, according to numbers from the provincial polls.

According to the news service Reuters, Mnangagwa won 2.46 million votes, or 50.8 percent.

Chamisa received 2.15 million.

The MDC Alliance have already announced they will not accept the result as they did not have the opportunity to verify the figures.

The chairman of Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said on Friday the party rejected the results of the country’s presidential election minutes before President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner.

Morgen Komichi made the impromptu televised statement at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, where the results were being announced.

He said the MDC could not verify the results before being removed by police.

Earlier, Mr Chamisa claimed to have won the presidential vote.

He suggested electoral officials would have released the results earlier if his opponent had enough votes to win.

On August 1, the opposition leader tweeted: “THANK YOU ZIMBABWE

“I’m humbled by the support you have given to me as a Presidential Candidate.

“We have won the popular vote.

“You voted for total Change in this past election!

“We have won this one together.

“No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL.”

“We have won the popular vote.

“You voted for total Change in this past election!

“We have won this one together.

“No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL.”

The election has been marred by the deaths of six people after the army cracked down on opposition protests.

On Wednesday, troops backed by armoured vehicles and a military helicopter were sent in to crush demonstrations by stone-throwing opposition supporters who said Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF party had rigged the elections.

Six people were killed as soldiers, some with their faces obscured by camouflage masks, opened fire with automatic weapons.

The following day, soldiers ordered civilians off the streets of the capital, despite calls from foreign governments and international organisations for calm and for political leaders to show restraint.

A source told Express.co.uk on Thursday that troops may be employed again today.

They said soldiers are preparing to be sent to Bulawayo, Masving, Gweru and Kadoma.

More to follow…