Zimbabwean activist, Stern Zvorwadza, was beaten to the ground by riot police officers after delivering an anti-Mugabe petition to Harare central police station on Monday Getty ImagesPolitical tensions in Zimbabwe rose as opposition groups vowed to go ahead this week with nationwide demonstrations against President Mugabe’s rule, in spite of a police ban on public protests. The National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera), a coalition of anti-Mugabe political parties and human rights organisations, plans 210 demonstrations around the country on Saturday to press for changes to the electoral system. Each election since 2000 — when Mr Mugabe first faced credible opposition — has been marked by charges of rigging. Critics cite a voters’ roll that has never been published, a national electoral body controlled by Mugabe supporters,…

Source: The Times September 13, 2016 15:56 UTC