6 protesting MDC youths seriously injured, scores arrested

The demonstration was part of an MDC national campaign for jobs the party launched in July.

A local photojournalist working for the Zimbabwe Mail was also arrested.

Unemployment keeps rising as company close at a fast rate in the post-2013 general election period.

Zanu (PF), which controversially won the polls, promised to create 2 million jobs in its pre-election campaign but, a year after, it has failed to boost employment.

“Today, as hundreds of youths peacefully marched demanding that the Zanu (PF) government delivers on its promise for jobs, armed riot police quelled the protest, seriously injuring the youths and arresting scores of others,” said MDC in a statement.

The injured were rushed to hospital where they are receiving treatment.

“The MDC condemns the police's violent action against a peaceful protest in violation of the national constitution which makes peaceful protests legal.

“The violent clampdown takes place in the presence of SADC Heads of State, hours after President Mugabe comes into office as the new SADC chair,” added MDC.

The SADC heads of State and government are winding up their summit in the resort town of Victoria Falls for the regional bloc’s 34th conference where President Robert Mugabe became the new chair for the next 12 months.

Foreign Affairs minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, recently told SADC summit delegates that Zimbabweans would not take to the streets to protest a poorly performing economy.