Anti-riot police officers clash with unarmed soldiers in Harare

Anti-riot police officers clashed with unarmed soldiers in Harare on 1 December 2008. The violence began when the soldiers attacked money changers and stole cash after being unable to withdraw their wages at banks. Local civilians responded to the violence by throwing rocks at the soldiers and chasing them in the streets. Anti-riot police officers armed with batons, guns and tear gas were deployed to the scene to calm the riot. At least one civilian was injured by a stray bullet. Most shops in the area closed down as a result of the clash, which also included widespread looting. The incident is the second time in the past week that Zimbabwe's soldiers attacked money changers in the capital due to frustration over unpaid wages. Additional protests over the country's economic malaise are expected in the capital in the coming days. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on Zimbabweans to take part in a mass protest on 3 December to demand that banks allow them to withdraw all of their money. The ZCTU is also planning a march to the reserve bank.