Violent clashes between vendors and cops

By Blessing Masakadza

HARARE – Chaos reigned supreme in the capital on Monday after violent clashes between municipal cops and vendors resulted in stones being thrown and vehicles parked between First Street and Angwa being damaged.

The incident occurred after municipal cops attacked a vendor, hitting him with batons resulting in the vendors retaliating. The roads were temporarily closed and business came to a halt with big supermarkets such as OK closing doors.

The vendors could not stomach seeing one of their own being dragged and beaten up and they resorted to violence. The municipal cops also joined the war, fighting back, throwing stones before they disappeared.

Harare City Communications Officer Michael Chideme said the cops are not encouraged to beat up vendors but can use minimum force in apprehending. He said they do not encourage violence saying if vendors have grievances they should follow relevant channels.

“There are channels in which if they have complainants they can follow. We do not encourage violence. Our cops are not allowed to beat up vendors but they can use minimum force when apprehending them,” he said.

Chideme said the municipal cops are actually victims as the vendors bring stones in preparation to attack them.

“Ordinarily there are no stones around that area but the vendors bring the stones in to attack the cops. Several cops have been injured, ” he said.

Chideme said four municipal cops had to be hospitalised yesterday after attacks by vendors. The vendors however dispute this claim.