Police break up #Tajamuka protest with tear gas, water cannon – Pictures and Video

By Nehanda Radio On Aug 17, 2016 3,055

Activist Patson Dzamara holds an injured protester in Harare

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

Police on Wednesday clashed with civil activists under the #Tajamuka banner who were demonstrating against current cash shortages.

Zimbabwean riot police clash with protestors during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — Zimbabwean riot police clash with protestors during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

A Zimbabwean riot police officer clashes with a protestor during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

A protestor holds a bundle of old Zimbabwean dollar notes as police stand by, during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — A protestor holds a bundle of old Zimbabwean dollar notes as police stand by, during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

A woman holds a banner with a message directed at President Robert Mugabe during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — A woman holds a banner with a message directed at President Robert Mugabe during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

A protestor holds a bunch of flowers as police stand by during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — A protestor holds a bunch of flowers as police stand by during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

Zimbabwean protestors hold flowers during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — Zimbabwean protestors hold flowers during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

Zimbabwe police arrest 10 union officials as clampdown…

Aug 23, 2019 44,451

Zim foreign minister defends crackdown on anti-government…

Aug 20, 2019 38,522

Political reform hopes dim in Zimbabwe as police block…

Aug 20, 2019 25,256

Police, soldiers patrol Bulawayo as opposition protest…

Aug 19, 2019 48,269

Prev Next 1 of 66

Zimbabwean riot police clash surround a protester during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — Zimbabwean riot police clash surround a protester during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

Zimbabwean protestors hold flowers and banners as police stand by, during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country's Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP) — Zimbabwean protestors hold flowers and banners as police stand by, during a demonstration against the introduction of bond notes by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Several protestors were beaten as they took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration aimed at venting their anger and frustrations at the imminent introduction of the notes, which the country’s Central Bank says will be equivalent to the United States dollar. (Photo: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, AP)

Heavily armed police confronted the protesters in central Harare as they marched towards the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) building along Samora Machel Avenue, ordering them to disperse.

The protesters stood their ground, resulting in physical clashes with the police as they hurled stones at the law enforcement agents.

The police used tear smoke and later a water cannon to disperse the protesters. The #Tajamuka leaders, among them Promise Mkwananzi, escaped arrest.

[Show slideshow]

The protest movement was part of the citizen protesters who rocked several parts of the country in July as they demonstrated against the current economic crisis, unpopular policies and President Robert Mugabe’s leadership.

Zimbabwe has since April experienced a stinging cash shortage blamed on money externalisation and poor exports, resulting in banks steeply reducing withdrawals. Nehanda Radio

#Tajamuka zimbabwe protests