Zimbabwe police fire tear gas as crackdown tightens

Young journalists club

News ID: 34131
Publish Date: 16:50 - 15 January 2019
TEHRAN, Jan 15 - Zimbabwe police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the second city of Bulawayo on Tuesday, a day after the country was rocked by violent demonstrations against a sharp hike in fuel prices.

Zimbabwe police fire tear gas as crackdown tightensTEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Police moved in after protesters chanted for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and as looting broke out in Bulawayo, a stronghold of opposition to the ruling ZANU-PF party, an AFP reporter witnessed.

The streets of the capital, Harare, were deserted after Monday's demonstrations when public anger over Zimbabwe's worsening economic crisis erupted.

The government more than doubled petrol prices at the weekend after months of shortages when drivers have been forced to queue for hours to fill up, while essentials such as bread and medicines have also been scarce.

In the capital Harare, most shops remained closed after Monday's protests and minibus taxis that usually transport workers from the suburbs to the city centre were not running.

In Kuwadzana suburb, police were on patrol and forcing people off the streets.

One resident, Tawanda Mataya, said he and his 17-year-old son had been beaten up by police.

"It's so painful," Mataya told AFP showing swellings on his back.

"I was standing at my gate to assess whether I could go to work then this group of police who were passing by started beating me.

"My son who heard me screaming and opened the window to see what was happening was slapped several times."

Source: AFP

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