Violence erupted in Harare after an official announcement that the ruling ZANU-PF party has won most of the seats in Parliament, an outcome that opposition supporters believe to be have been manipulated.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's decision to delay the results of the presidential race for three days after the vote, seems certain to inflame the opposition if President Emmerson Mnangagwa has won.
Monday's upbeat spectacle of millions of Zimbabweans voting peacefully was eclipsed 48 hours later by scenes of tanks and other military vehicles speeding through debris-strewn.
"They are trying to protest so they can get fair results," said Elisha Pfigu, a 31-year-old street vendor who was watching government soldiers.