WASHINGTON DC —
There was chaos at the Metropolitan Bank in Bulawayo on Friday when a group of angry clients, mainly civil servants, smashed glass windows and doors after failing to access their money as the credit crunch continues to bite the nation.
The clients were also unhappy that the local bank was limiting withdrawals to $50 for those who were able to access the banking halls.
Most of those who waited outside the bank had travelled over night from areas like Tsholotsho and Esigodini, among other places, expecting to get money for Christmas shopping next week.
Riot police were called to the scene and managed to disperse the crowd for a while. They did not apply force saying they understood the crowd’s plight. The angry customers have re-grouped and remain outside the bank, hoping to access their money Saturday.
The chaos in Bulawayo follows similar scenes at the Allied Bank this week in Harare where the bank’s windows were smashed by angry clients who had also failed to access their money from the bank.
The clients were also unhappy that the local bank was limiting withdrawals to $50 for those who were able to access the banking halls.
Most of those who waited outside the bank had travelled over night from areas like Tsholotsho and Esigodini, among other places, expecting to get money for Christmas shopping next week.
Riot police were called to the scene and managed to disperse the crowd for a while. They did not apply force saying they understood the crowd’s plight. The angry customers have re-grouped and remain outside the bank, hoping to access their money Saturday.
The chaos in Bulawayo follows similar scenes at the Allied Bank this week in Harare where the bank’s windows were smashed by angry clients who had also failed to access their money from the bank.