Zimbabwe bus drivers clash against traffic police

Violent clashes erupted between police and commuter omnibus drivers Monday in the eastern suburbs of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, leaving most city-bound residents stranded.

"We are tired of police. They steal from us everyday and today they will pay," the privately-run NewsDay quoted a resident wielding stones as saying.

The clashes were believed to be ignited by commuter omnibus operators who abandoned routes protesting against heavy police presence in roads.

The omnibus is the most common transportation in Zimbabwe.

At the impoverished suburb of Epworth on the outskirts of Harare, a witness posted on his social media account that police sprayed peri-peri water on the protesters while a van carrying bread for delivery was looted.

There has been a public outcry in recent weeks against the heavy presence of police on the roads, forcing the police to announce that it would reduce the roadblocks.

The clashes come days after Beitbridge Border Post was rocked by violent protests last Friday as Zimbabweans protested against an import ban of basic goods effected by government recently. Endit