Mnangagwa defends Zimbabwe election conduct

President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has concluded his press conference at State House in the capital, Harare, where he defended the legitimacy of his win at the polls.

He said he was validated by both the national electoral commission and EU observers - a statement at odds with the head of the EU observer mission's conclusion that an "un-level playing field and lack of trust" had marred the election process.

Mr Mnangagwa said:

The constitution, as well as domestic and municipal law, states that Zec [the electoral commission] pronounces the one who has won the election. I have accepted it.

The EU told me there was peace, transparency and freedom during the campaign period. They also told me the voting process was peaceful, transparent and well-organised.

But we can improve... in areas of access to polling stations."