A 24-year-old man who was shot outside the Russian embassy in Harare on Wednesday night is a Zimbabwean soldier, reported ZimLive.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Thursday said the suspect was shot and injured and was admitted to a local hospital.
ZimLive reported diplomatic sources as saying the man was shot twice on his thigh and armpit after attempting to wrestle an AK47 rifle from a police officer guarding the embassy.
The soldier was reportedly involved in a physical confrontation with touts at a taxi rank for Bindura-bound buses on Sam Nujoma Street (formerly Second Street). Added the source:
In his anger, he walked to the Russian embassy where there was a police officer on guard duties.
He demanded the gun from the officer who resisted and it appears they wrestled over the weapon until the soldier was shot.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is ruling out a robbery or political motive.
In his statement issued earlier on Thursday, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi did not disclose the suspect’s name.