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Soldiers rampage at Harare bank | Soldiers rampage at Harare bank |
(10 minutes later) | |
Dozens of troops have run amok in the Zimbabwean capital Harare after losing their temper while queuing up to withdraw cash at a bank. | Dozens of troops have run amok in the Zimbabwean capital Harare after losing their temper while queuing up to withdraw cash at a bank. |
Riot police used tear gas to disperse about 40 soldiers and a number of civilians who joined the protest. | Riot police used tear gas to disperse about 40 soldiers and a number of civilians who joined the protest. |
A local journalist told the BBC troops looted shops and assaulted passers-by, before the authorities managed to restore control. | A local journalist told the BBC troops looted shops and assaulted passers-by, before the authorities managed to restore control. |
The disorder comes as much of Harare is without water amid a cholera outbreak. | The disorder comes as much of Harare is without water amid a cholera outbreak. |
Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe told the BBC Focus on Africa programme: "It's unprecedented. | Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe told the BBC Focus on Africa programme: "It's unprecedented. |
"We've never seen members of defence forces marching in towns, breaking into shops and looting. People are very, very shocked." | "We've never seen members of defence forces marching in towns, breaking into shops and looting. People are very, very shocked." |
The military is seen as one of President Robert Mugabe's core supporters and was accused of taking part in a campaign of violence against the opposition during this year's elections. | The military is seen as one of President Robert Mugabe's core supporters and was accused of taking part in a campaign of violence against the opposition during this year's elections. |
Correspondents say that the president's grip on power would be severely weakened if the security forces stopped backing him. | Correspondents say that the president's grip on power would be severely weakened if the security forces stopped backing him. |
'Enough is enough' | 'Enough is enough' |
The soldiers vented their frustration on Monday after waiting all day in a long queue at a bank. | The soldiers vented their frustration on Monday after waiting all day in a long queue at a bank. |
Mr Hungwe said the troops beat some people up and urged civilians to join them, leading a number of passers-by to begin shouting: "Enough is enough, let's join the soldiers." | Mr Hungwe said the troops beat some people up and urged civilians to join them, leading a number of passers-by to begin shouting: "Enough is enough, let's join the soldiers." |
Some riot police stood by smiling as the defence force members ran amok, Mr Hungwe said, before the authorities moved in to disperse the protesters. | Some riot police stood by smiling as the defence force members ran amok, Mr Hungwe said, before the authorities moved in to disperse the protesters. |
He said riot police were still on the streets and there was no sign of the soldiers behind the protest. | He said riot police were still on the streets and there was no sign of the soldiers behind the protest. |
Zimbabweans can only draw small amounts of money from banks every day because of a cash shortage but the sums they can access are often not enough buy a loaf of bread. | |
The country's economic freefall has been accelerating and the latest annual inflation rate was 231,000,000% and just one adult in five is estimated to have a regular job. |