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| Soldiers rampage at Harare bank | Soldiers rampage at Harare bank |
| (31 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 had looted shops and assaulted passers-by, before the authorities managed to restore control. | A local journalist told the BBC troops had 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." |
| 'Enough is enough' | |
| 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. |
| STATE OF ZIMBABWE Annual inflation: 231m%Unemployment: 80%Life expectancy: 37 (male), 34 (female)45% of the population is malnourished class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7758070.stm">Zimbabwe vows to defy land ruling class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7758147.stm">'No water' in cholera-hit Harare | |
| 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 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 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. | |
| 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. |
| The Associated Press news agency reported that gunfire had broken out in central Harare and that hundreds of people had gathered. | The Associated Press news agency reported that gunfire had broken out in central Harare and that hundreds of people had gathered. |
| Some people threw stones but others cheered on police as they tackled the unarmed troops, who had attacked money-changers, according to AP. | Some people threw stones but others cheered on police as they tackled the unarmed troops, who had attacked money-changers, according to AP. |
| Sanitation systems have broken down, fuelling the spread of cholera | |
| Because of a national cash shortage, Zimbabweans can only withdraw small amounts of money every day - often barely enough to buy a loaf of bread. | Because of a national cash shortage, Zimbabweans can only withdraw small amounts of money every day - often barely enough to buy a loaf of bread. |
| The country's economic freefall has been accelerating and the latest annual inflation rate was 231,000,000%. Just one adult in five is estimated to have a regular job. | The country's economic freefall has been accelerating and the latest annual inflation rate was 231,000,000%. Just one adult in five is estimated to have a regular job. |
| Earlier, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported that water in the capital had been cut because of a shortage of purification chemicals, as authorities try to contain a cholera outbreak. | Earlier, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported that water in the capital had been cut because of a shortage of purification chemicals, as authorities try to contain a cholera outbreak. |
| At least 425 people have died in recent months from the disease, which is spread by contaminated water. | At least 425 people have died in recent months from the disease, which is spread by contaminated water. |
| The outbreak has been fuelled by the collapse of Zimbabwe's health and sanitation systems. The disease is easily treatable but hospitals lack medicines and staff. | The outbreak has been fuelled by the collapse of Zimbabwe's health and sanitation systems. The disease is easily treatable but hospitals lack medicines and staff. |
| The health minister said people should stop shaking hands to prevent the disease spreading. | The health minister said people should stop shaking hands to prevent the disease spreading. |