Zimbabwe: Reports of Violent Clashes between Diggers and Police
October 30, 08
According to reports in the local press, a number of policemen and artisanal diamond diggers were killed in violent clashes in Zimbabwe’s eastern Manicaland Province in the past few weeks.
Police spokesperson Andrew Phiri told The Herald that several police officers were killed about two weeks ago in a shoot out while local residents said at least one digger was killed by police last week IRIN reported.
“There is war at Chiadzwa,” 24 year-old John Sakarombe told IRIN. “The police and soldiers who patrol the area warn us that they were given an explicit order to shoot once a situation turns violent.” Sakarombe is also a victim of these orders, shot in the leg by police during a battle.