adminMidlands Correspondent
THERE was commotion in the Gweru Central Business District yesterday when vendors threw stones at a council vehicle used regularly to conduct sporadic raids on them with the assistance of police.The incident occurred around 10AM at the corner of Robert Mugabe Way and Main Street.
Zimbabwe Republic Police details and municipal police had to scurry for cover as irate vendors charged at them armed with stones and threatened to burn the municipal police vehicle.
One of the police officers, according to eye witnesses, is said to have lost his cap in the process.
Riot police had to be called in to quell the disturbances and restore sanity in the city.
Witnesses said the fracas started when municipal police officers and police details started dragging a female vendor into a truck which drew the ire of fellow vendors who started attacking the police details.
“Soon members of the public who sympathized with the woman started joining in the melee which forced the law enforcements agents to call for reinforcements as they were being overpowered,” said the witness who only identified himself as Lameck.
When Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, the place was deserted and police had cordoned off the area including Midlands Hotel where some people who had allegedly taken part in the attack were holed up.
Riot police continued to indiscriminately attack members of the public with batons despite the calm which had been restored.
They mostly targeted people moving in groups of three or more.
One of the vendors who refused to be identified said law enforcement agents should stop harassing them as they were trying to earn an honest living.
She accused police details of taking their wares which they would share among themselves at the police station.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko could not be drawn to comment on the skirmishes. He said he was still to receive reports of the incident.
Online Reporter