'85 hurt in anti-government protests in Zimbabwe'

More than 85 anti-government protesters were seriously injured in Harare, Zimbabwe opposition spokespeople say.

Harare - More than 85 anti-government protesters calling for President Robert Mugabe to step down were seriously injured in Zimbabwe's capital on Wednesday.

The roughly 2,000 demonstrators clashed with heavily armed police while marching towards parliament to present a petition about their grievances, including the government's planned introduction of "bond notes" to alleviate the country's severe cash shortage.

"We have more than 85 people who were severely injured, and we are still trying to collate the figures of [others] injured," protest leader Jacob Ngarivhume, a member of opposition party Transform Zimbabwe, said.

Police fired teargas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, many of whom were carrying "Mugabe must go" placards, even though authorities had approved the march.

"Mugabe and his government need to step aside and allow citizens to rebuild their country," said Promise Mkwananzi, spokeswoman of the Tajamuka campaign that has been leading anti-government protests in recent weeks.

Several journalists were among those assaulted by the police with batons, and some had their equipment destroyed, Ngarivhume said.

"We condemn the police for brutally attacking members of the press," said Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, Foster Dongozi.

Police spokesperson Charity Charamba meanwhile said "officers only acted in self-defence after the demonstrators started throwing stones."

DPA