Police stop burning down of Mphoko's Choppies

Police have revealed that they stopped rowdy youths in Bulawayo from burning down a Choppies supermarket during the clashes that ensued with protestors.

Choppies was targeted because Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's family are shareholders in the giant supermarket.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the perpetrators would soon be arrested, as police have identified them.

"In Bulawayo there was a group of thugs who looted some shops. The police also intercepted hooligans who were trying to get to the city centre to burn down Choppies Supermarket," she said.

In Bulawayo, Rumrich Supermarket in Mzilikazi suburb was ransacked and rioters looted mealie-meal, sugar, cooking oil and liquor, among other things.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police are investigating the people who have been identified as part of the mobs that tried to cause chaos.

"Those who know that they were looting in shops and those who were inciting violence should know that they are now on our wanted list," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said in Harare, some youths blocked roads and threw stones in Kuwadzana.

In Matabeleland South, she said, six people were arrested for trying to incite violence.