/ 16 October 2000

ZIM POLICE ACT AGAINST PROTESTS

ZIMBABWE riot police have sealed two Harare townships after residents blocked roads to prevent people from going to work in protest against soaring food prices, witnesses said. Hundreds of police, armed with batons and shields, teargas canisters and automatic rifles, also patrolled central Harare after rumours that angry youths were heading there for a demonstration against President Robert Mugabe’s government. The prices of bread and sugar went up by an average 30% last week. – Reuters

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