Reports indicate that scores of vendors were injured in clashes with police in Gweru on Monday evening. The police were carrying out an operation to flush out illegal vendors from the CBD and the vendors were resisting the confiscation of their goods. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the angry crowds. An eyewitness who spoke to Newsday had this to say
Generally, there seemed to be tension between the vendors and the police. When one vendor threw himself in front of the vehicle that was being used by police in the operation, hordes of people mobbed the cops, demanding answers as to why they were being insensitive. People started whistling and shouting during the commotion. So police fired teargas to disperse the crowds, who were protesting against their actions.
In an interview with Southern Eye Gweru Vendors Association chairperson Lovemore Reketayi Tingaka said
I was at my vending stall in the rank when the Monday incident happened. I just saw smoke all over the place and within a short space of time, I saw people running into the rank in huge numbers. We have raised concern over the use of excessive force and the unfair operation by the police with the minister and we will meet him on December 4 as per his request. People whose wares were confiscated last week are yet to get them back.
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