Cops bashed by vendors

Harare - A group of Harare Municipality Police who approached vendors on the streets of the capital for the first time without soldiers in their midst were beaten by vendors, and some civilians in two isolated events.

The first incident, witnessed by Khuluma Afrika correspondent Godfrey Munengoni happened at the corner of Robson Manyika and Julius Nyerere.

Council cops approached vendors asking them to leave the pavements and move to designated vending areas provided by the city. Vendors resisted, and riot police had to be called in.

Outside Bata stores in downtown Harare, at the corner of Bank and Leopold Takawira, council cops approached vendors aggressively.

The vendors retaliated instantly, resorting to a few sticks, some stones, booted feet and clenched fists, in the process forcing the council cops to flee.

Riot police intervened and fired teargas to disburse the protest, resulting in mini running battles and clouds of tear smoke.