MEMBERS of the police fired several shots to disperse a crowd at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus that was fighting a National Task Force Team and Customs and Excise officials on an operation against smuggling at the long-distance bus station.
Although no one was injured in the fracas that dominated midday activities, the police fired shots near the Municipality of Beitbridge cash collection point.
The crowd had barricaded the road to force a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) vehicle that was loaded with goods seized from travellers from leaving.
“Groups of youths barricaded the road demanding National Task Force and Customs and Excise officials leave goods they had taken from travellers.
“They laid rocks and logs across the road to block the Zimra truck used to ferry seized goods to the State warehouses,” a Beitbridge Municipality security officer at the scene said.
“One policeman fired into the ground and another one fired many shots into the air. People followed the truck and looted some stuff in a free-for-all melee.”
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The source said the crowd did not back off until the Police Support Unit was summoned to the terminus for the second time in as many weeks.
The crowd dispersed, but not before damage was done after the youths grabbed goods from the Zimra truck as it negotiated its way out of the terminus.
National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment.