HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean riot police used water cannon on Wednesday to scatter 20 activists protesting at the introduction of "bond notes", a new domestic currency they say could touch off uncontrolled money printing and a return to hyperinflation.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe launched the notes on Monday with the goal of easing chronic cash shortages and supplement the dwindling U.S. dollars in circulation. Intelligence briefings seen by Reuters said if the notes' value crashed, President Robert Mugabe's 36-year grip on power could unravel.