'Mugabe must go' demonstrators and police clash in Zimbabwe
- Published
Pictures of police in Zimbabwe clashing with demonstrators protesting against President Robert Mugabe's handling of the economy.
Zimbabwe has run out of money and hundreds of protesters took to the streets of the capital, Harare, in anger at government measures to deal with the crisis.
They handed in a petition to the finance ministry, opposing the impending introduction of "bond notes" as a cash substitute.
The country abandoned its own currency in 2009 in order to stem runaway inflation. The highest denomination then was a $100 trillion Zimbabwean dollar note.
The new bond notes are to be pegged to the US dollar and would have no value outside Zimbabwe, but people fear they will devalue as before.
Correspondents say the rare directness of some banners is an indication of how the voices of protest against the 92-year-old president are growing.
A group called the "unemployed graduates" joined the march. With unemployment at more than 90%, many rely on cross-border trading to make a living.
Social media has been driving protests, including a national shutdown in early July. The national flag is being used as a symbol of the calls for change.
The trouble started when the demonstrators started marching towards parliament and police blocked their path.
Tear gas was fired and water cannons moved in to chase the protesters away, reports the BBC's Brian Hungwe, who witnessed the clashes.
The demonstrators fought back by throwing stones and the crosses they carried. Members of church congregations were amongst those who marched.
Journalists were also beaten. The chaos disrupted traffic and car windows were broken.
Amid this anger, President Mugabe held a politburo meeting as he tries to quell blatant infighting between his potential successors within the ruling party.
Images courtesy of AP, AFP and Reuters