Following yesterday’s skirmishes involving the police and soldiers Pindula has decided to list down 4 times members of the Zimbabwe National Army have wrecked havoc in Harare’s CBD.
1. December 2008
In December 2008, soldiers, from Cranborne Barracks staged an impromptu protest, shouting at the bank were they were queuing all day. They were joined by hundreds of civilians at the corner of Robert Mugabe and Fourth Street. Armed riot police arrived to break up the demonstration which resulted in violence breaking out. In the same month soldiers looted and vandalised shops in Harare.
2.March 2011
A group of 22 rogue soldiers stormed a lodge in Harare, ransacked rooms and raped at least two women. Two soldiers; Fungai Kashitigu, 31, and Kennedy Chitsaka, 30, who were both based at the Mounted Unit Regiment at Inkomo Barracks were charged with rape and robbery. There were reports that a major investigation involving regular police, military police and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) was underway to track down 20 other soldiers who were believed to have deserted.
Source: NewZimbabwe.com
3. September 2012
In September 2012, soldiers beat up tout (Hwindis) at Charge Office bus terminus near Harare Central Police Station. The soldiers accused the Hwindis of assaulting their colleagues. The incident inspired Killer T to write the song “Makarova Ganaz”. Speaking to the Daily News, then Police spokesperson James Sabau said four soldiers were arrested.
Source: Daily News
4. December 2013
A soldier allegedly ran amok at an Allied Bank branch in Harare after he was dissatisfied with the bank’s service delivery. The soldier and his accomplices allegedly assaulted a manager at Allied Bank’s Travel Centre branch corner Jason Moyo (Avenue) and Third Street.
Source: Herald