Police Blame Violence On Anti-Bond Note Protestors

Published: 2016 August 04 02:44:56 (5119 Views)

The Zimbabwe Republic Police have shifted blame for their violent clampdown of yesterday's No to Bond Notes march to the protestors claiming that they were the ones who started the violence.

Scores of people were injured while also property alleged to be wort thousands was also destroyed in the showdown between police and demonstrators.

Three people have so far been arrested in connection with the violent clashes as investigations continue.

Police stationed at Harare Central Police Station claimed that they received a number of reports from people sighting that they had been attacked by demonstrators.

A policeman is alleged to have been stripped naked and lost his uniform and shoes after he was attacked while leaving a bank.

Police have instigated a manhunt whilst dockets are being prepared for those whom they believe are the authors of the demonstration.

Among people believed to have been fuelling the violence were Acie Lumumba of VIVA Zimbabwe, Tajamuka/Sesjikile spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi, Transform Zimbabwe president Jacob Ngaribvume and members of the Zimbabwe Coalition for Unemployed Graduates (ZCFUG).

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said these groups had joined hands to demonstrate following a court order that gave them the green light to do so.

“What is disturbing is that according to their application through the court, they had said they would carry out a peaceful demonstration, but they ran amok and damaged property, cars and injured innocent people. Police were operating under difficult circumstances since there were about 4 000 people,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the group first went to the New Government Complex where it sought to handover a petition to Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa.

The demonstrators demanded to enter the complex, but police would not allow them all since the complex houses several ministries and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offices.

Ngaribvume and a colleague were allowed to enter and deliver the petition.

It is reported that on its way from the complex to Parliament Building, the group became violent and started throwing stones and attacking people who were going about their business.

“Police had to move in and disperse them. They also chased a police officer who was coming from a bank and undressed him, taking his uniform and shoes. During the process three people were arrested and one of them was found with the police officer’s shoes in his bag,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She said the group later went and stoned a police post along First Street and a car that was parked nearby.

A police vehicle was also stoned during the demonstrations.

- Herald

Tags: Mugabe, Zimbabwe, Police, ZRP, MDC, ,

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Anonymous user 2016 August 04 13:00:25

this Charamba lady is saying nonsense i was part of the pple protesting and none of what she's saying occurred with the majority of pple there recordind pics and videos surely pics of such incidents would have been seen by now. Respectpeople to be respected in turn

Anonymous user 2016 August 04 04:32:35

There are so many ways of demonstration .ln the process people gets angry, &hungry so those on duty of monitoring must be carefully treating people with respect known that here are part of what is happening. The government must response to its people before they get against it.This is going to be woes if the government do not do or practice people 's demands. Give freedom to the people or else police man can be even killed in the process. Viva ZIMBABWE. PAMBERI NEKUGADZIRA NYIKA. PASI NEUNZVINYIRIRI.

Police Blame Violence On Anti-Bond Note Protestors

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