The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is investigating reports that soldiers indiscriminately assaulted residents of Harare’s Warren Park suburb and looted their goods on Wednesday night.
This was said by ZNA deputy public relations director, Alex Zuva, during an interview with the Daily News on Friday. He said:
We are investigating the issue and this also requires that we check with Harare Central Police Station records.
Currently, our people are in Warren Park carrying out investigations and once we are through we will advise all relevant parties.
Reports claim that the soldiers assaulted residents and looted goods from vendors, including potatoes and vegetables.
Two journalists, Tinashe Chokodza (263Chat) and Leopold Munhende (NewZimbabwe.com) were also assaulted and injured while on their way home from work.
Speaking in Parliament in response to opposition legislators a day before the Warren Park incidents, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri called on members of the public to report abuses by armed forces during the course of their work. She said:
If there are such cases (of abuse), we will be more than happy to investigate them. I am hoping and also appealing to you to bring forward or to report such individuals if you know them or if some of your informers have information.
Everyone is free to come forward to our offices. We will definitely investigate the cases.