Soldiers run amok in Harare, Zimbabwe

Published: Dec. 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
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HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Troops angered over delays in withdrawing cash from a bank rampaged through Zimbabwe's capital Monday.

The BBC reports troops looted stores and attacked civilians before authorities managed to restore order in Harare. The violence followed a long day of standing in line at a bank, made necessary by restrictions on how much people can withdraw at a time, local reporters told the BBC. Riot police reportedly stood aside, smiling.

The incident is the latest hardship foisted on the city, which is without water because of a cholera outbreak and lack of purification chemicals. Political violence has plaged the country since the latest election campaign began.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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