Towards the evening there were already reports of police officers conducting door to door searches beating up people randomly in affected areas of Harare.
“Be warned not to engage in violent activities. So far we have arrested some unruly elements this morning in Ruwa and Mabvuku who were blocking roads.
“As police, we have information and intelligence on the identities of some criminal elements that are behind the social unrest. We have put our monitoring teams in place and all perpetrators of violence will be arrested,†said national police spokesperson, Charity Charamba.
She admitted that the situation in the country was very tense, adding that Police officers have been heavily deployed to deal with any public disorder situation.
“Lawlessness of any nature whatsoever and those who are bent on causing mayhem by taking the law into their hands will not be condoned.
Charamba professed ignorance on reports that some police officers have been injured during the violence saying ZRP had not received any reports yet regarding the issue.
She, however, said police would continue mounting roadblocks.
“Security roadblocks are there to monitor the situation which is very tense at the moment and we will continue manning roadblocks throughout the country,†Charamba claimed.
Kombi operators took to the streets Monday protesting the proliferation of roadblocks throughout the capital. Drivers and touts complained bitterly about police harassment saying virtually all traffic cops demand bribes from them on a daily basis.
The strike, which saw hundreds of commuters and school children stranded, turned violent with some police officers reportedly bashed by rioters.
Post published in: Featured