WEB DESK

Thousands of Zimbabwe’s anti-government demonstrators marched through Harare on Thursday under close surveillance by armed police in the first rally since a deadly crackdown on an election protest in August.

Singing and waving placards denouncing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule, the protesters gathered in the centre of the Zimbabwean capital.

The event, which was held with police approval, was organised by the main opposition MDC party, which says it was cheated of victory in the July 30 election. In a mass demonstration two days later, six people died when security forces opened fire on the protesters.

The latest bout of economic strife erupted last month when the government announced a two-per cent tax on all electronic transactions to increase revenue.