Derick Tsimba

The recent violent demonstrations that rocked the country leaving a trail of destruction have seen 78 police officers being injured and maimed, Government has revealed. 

Revealing the statistics on its Twitter handle, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services said from 14 to 16 January 2019, police officers were attacked and injured across the country’s provinces during the violent disturbances.

“During the violent disturbances from 14 to 16 January 2019, there was a concerted attack against police officers resulting in one deceased officer and 78 injuries across the country as follows, Harare 56, Bulawayo 16, Manicaland 03, Mashonaland East 03. In all the other provinces, no police injuries were recorded,” said the Ministry.

The Ministry also said citizens suffered from attacks by the violent gangs who looted shops and burnt police vehicles and stations during the demonstrations.

“During the demonstrations, violent gangs committed a lot of atrocities against fellow citizens. They robbed them, assaulted them, stripped female police officers naked and burned crime dockets in police stations amongst a raft of other crimes,” said the Ministry.