At least three persons have been killed after Zimbabwean soldiers fired live ammunition, water cannons and teargas  in Harare apparently to quell the unrest which followed the delay in the release of the result of Monday’s presidential election in the country.

Reports say soldiers and police who were deployed on Wednesday fought running battles with hundreds of protesters who had taken to the streets over claims that the historic election was being rigged in favour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The opposition supporters who expressed growing impatience over delays in releasing the results of the vote, the first since Robert Mugabe was ousted after four decades in charge, were however undaunted as they hurled stones and pellets on approaching security personnel.

Much of the city centre resembled a war zone, with military helicopters flying overhead, armoured personnel carriers moving through burning debris and patrols of soldiers chasing stone throwers down narrow streets.

Terrified commuters took cover in shop doorways or behind walls still covered in posters bearing portraits of election candidates as volleys of shots rang out and stones flew through the air.

In a late-night press conference, Home Affairs Minister, Obert Mpofu warned that the government would not tolerate any of the actions that were witnessed on Wednesday, warning the opposition protesters not to test the country’s resolve.

United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has also called on political leaders in the country and its people to exercise restraint and reject any form of violence.

Amnesty International called on authorities in Zimbabwe to launch a prompt and effective investigation into the deadly military crackdown as according to the agency, people must be guaranteed their right to protest.

The scenes of violence contrasted dramatically with the jubilation and joy on the same streets that greeted the end of Mugabe’s rule in November. Then, soldiers were seen as patriotic heroes. On Wednesday afternoon, in the opposition stronghold of Harare at least, they were seen once more as brutal defenders of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

The presidential candidate of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Nelson Chamisa said the presidential results were fraudulent, adding that no amount of results manipulation would alter the will of the Zimbabwean people.

As it stands now, the authorities are under increasing pressure to release the results of the poll, which pitted Chamisa, a 40-year-old lawyer, pastor and leader of the MDC against Mnangagwa, 75, a longtime Mugabe aide and head of the ruling party.