By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) on Wednesday urged government to stop using the police and army to indiscriminately shoot at protesting civilians.

ZCC said because demonstrating was a constitutional right enshrined in the Constitution, government should stop using security agents to shoot civilians.

The statement comes after doctors revealed that they had attended to hundreds of people wounded by gun shots following protests which rocked most major cities nationally.

The protests were triggered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s announcement of fuel increases by over 140 percent.

Said ZCC in statement:

“The church pleads with those in the security sector to stop shooting civilians. We reject the use of violence and intimidation against those citizens exercising their democratic rights and fundamental freedoms in peace.

The church also urges all citizens of goodwill to assist those injured and comfort the bereaved.

The church also calls upon all public health facilities to ensure that all those affected will access immediate help and treatment without discrimination.

Regrettably, citizens’ protests and acts of civil disobedience have degenerated into violence, destruction of property, injury and loss of life.

Information at hand suggests that some of those who got injured and killed were from gunshot wounds.

At this moment of despair, Zimbabweans long for their leaders in government and all other sectors to show urgency and leadership in addressing their concerns. They are seeking confidence that their situation will be improved sooner than later.

Many Zimbabweans desire a just distribution of both gains of living in Zimbabwe as it goes through this transition. The current situation cannot continue like this.”