President Emmerson Mnangagwa says freedom of speech indispensable in “new Zimbabwe”

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. (Source: Mike Hutchings/Pool Photo via AP, File)

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday that freedom of speech was an indispensable part of the “new Zimbabwe,” criticising earlier scenes where police chased away journalists waiting for a briefing by his main rival in this week’s presidential election.

“The scenes today at the Bronte Hotel have no place in our society and we are urgently investigating the matter to understand exactly what happened,” Mnangagwa wrote on Twitter.

“We won the election freely and fairly, and have nothing to hide or fear. Anyone is free to address the media at any time,” he added.