VIOLENCE rocked the Harare central business district late yesterday evening after police officers allegedly shot and reportedly killed a bystander after engaging in running battles with kombi drivers.

BY AARON UFUMELI

The violence started when the police fired at a kombi that was near the Seke Road flyover and reports were that one person had died and another was seriously injured.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the running battles between the police and kombis, leading to one of the officers firing their guns. Members of the public then besieged Harare Central Police Charge Office, where they wanted to lay a charge against the officers, triggering riotous scenes.

They started throwing rocks at the police and vehicles parked outside the police station. In the ensuing melee, a car was burnt and another vehicle also caught flames. The police responded by firing teargas to disperse the mob.

Roads leading to the charge office were later blocked to pedestrians.

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Efforts to get a comment from the police were fruitless late yesterday.