- Title: ZIMBABWE: CROWDS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST POLICE STREET SHOOTING OF BYSTANDERS.
- Date: 3rd November 1995
- Summary: HARARE, ZIMBABWE (NOVEMBER 3, 1995) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV ZIMBABWEAN POLICE ABOUT TO EXAMINE BODY, LYING IN FRONT OF SHOPS, OF VICTIM ACCIDENTALLY SHOT DEAD BY POLICE 0.06 2. GV CROWD WATCHING 0.09 3. TRACK AROUND BURNED OUT AND OVERTURNED CAR 0.16 4. SV POLICE PUT BODY OF DEAD VICTIM INTO CASKET 0.23 5. SV DEAD BODY OF ANOTHER VICTIM OF POLICE SHOOTING LYING IN FRONT OF SHOPS 0.27 6. SV CROWD BEING PUSHED BACK BY POLICE WITH BATONS 0.31 7. SLV/VARIOUS CROWD RUNNING AWAY/ TEAR GAS POURING OUT OF CANISTERS ON ROADS AROUND THE INCIDENT/ PEOPLE STAND NEAR VEHICLE (4 SHOTS) 1.01 8. GV/TRACK LARGE CROWD GATHERED AT END OF ONE ROAD, PEOPLE SHOUT AND JEER AT POLICE/ MORE TEAR GAS FIRED (2 SHOTS) 1.12 9. SV POLICE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GODWIN MATANGA SITTING DOWN AT NEWS CONFERENCE 1.20 10. MCU POLICEMAN WATCHING 1.21 11. SV MATANGA SPEAKING (ENGLISH)/ZOOM OUT (2 SHOTS) 2.01 12. GV/ SV STUDENTS FROM UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE PROTESTING AT KILLINGS/STUDENTS WITH PLACARDS CALLING FOR RESIGNATIONS/ LARGE BLACK FLAG WITH SCULL AND CROSSED BONES ON IT/ STUDENT SHOUTS THAT "THE POLICE ARE PERPETRATING VIOLENCE AGAINST INNOCENT CIVILIANS." (ENGLISH)/CROWD CHEERS AND WAVE (5 SHOTS) 2.27 SEQ.11: TRANSCRIPT; MATANGA: "THE POLICE DO NOT JUST SHOOT PEOPLE AT RANDOM. ALL POLICE ARE WELL TRAINED IN THE USE AND LIMITS OF FIRE ARMS. MAY I ALSO ASSURE YOU THAT, A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION BY OUR CID HOMICIDE SECTION HAVE COMMENCED AND THE RESULTS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC. WHOEVER IS TO BLAME, IS TO BE PROSECUTED." Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 18th November 1995 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: HARARE, ZIMBABWE
- City:
- Country: Zimbabwe
- Reuters ID: LVA482C6FLR6KLRBZTI9R7K8T663
- Story Text: Three bystanders were shot dead by police in Zimbabwe's capital Harare on Friday (November 3), sparking riots in the city as thousands took to the streets and angry mobs overturned and burned a police truck.
The protests started soon after Harare police pursued four people believed to have stolen goods from an electronics shop in the city centre on Friday. The thieves jumped into a taxi and the police opened fire accidently killing two passers-by and a injuring a woman who died overnight in hospital.
Within minutes, the crowd of onlookers grew to thousands of outraged protestors who set fire to a police truck and threw bottles and bricks at the police.
Riot control forces were called in and tear gas was used to disperse a 2,000-strong crowd who had thronged the area.
Witnesses at the scene said police fired indiscriminately into the crowd without giving any warning shots.
Deputy police commissioner Godwin Matanga said the incident was "regrettable and quite unfortunate" and appealed for calm.
He defended his officers, saying they were well trained in the use of firearms but pledged that whoever was to blame would be prosecuted.
Local human rights watchdog, Zimrights, called for stricter legislation to control officers' use of firearms.
Students at the university of Zimbabwe also held protests and called for the resignation of those responsible for the shooting.
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