Zimbabwe police use water cannon against 'fake money' protest

A man holds old notes in front of people queueing for cash at a local bank during a demonstration against the new ‘bond notes’ that came into circulation this week in an attempt to ease chronic cash shortages, in the capital Harare, Zimbabwe, November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

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.