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.