Farai Dziva|ZRP cops in the ancient city of Masvingo surprised all and sundry on Monday morning when they blocked roads into the city centre, forcing scores of people to return home.

Police officers at the Rujeko Footbridge accused residents of plotting to overthrow the government through mass protests.

“We don’t want to see your exemption letters, we are simply following instructions from our bosses.

We know what you are planning -you want to cause havoc in the Central Business District, go back home,” shouted a ZRP cop.

Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Charity Mazula was not immediately available for a comment on the matter.

Residents who spoke to ZimEye.com said they were forced to sit on bare ground for several hours, despite the chilly weather in the morning.

“They forced us to sit on bare ground and they accused us of denigrating the authorities.I wanted to buy medicine for my daughter but the cops would not allow me to get into town,” fumed one resident.