Zim Soldiers Continue Violence In Masvingo
04/02/2011 08:57:00
Bulawayo, February 04 2011 – A ZIPRA War Veterans Trust deputy chair has
accused the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) soldiers of embarking on
unprecedented political violence in Mwenezi area in Masvingo province
targetted at Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) supporters.
Retired col Bester Magwizi accused two former ZIPRA and ZNA soldiers,
captain Solomon Ndlovu and col Tshudina Moyo for leading a terror campaign
against MDC supporters in the Maranda area of Mwenezi.
Zipra is a former military wing of the old Zapu which fought for the
liberation of Zimbabwe.
“We were in Mwenezi recently on our community healing programme and campaign
towards a non violent election. We were really shocked to learn that some of
our former colleagues during the liberation struggle are being used by Zanu
(PF) to intimidate, murder and torture defenseless civilians,” Magwizi told
Radio VOP.
Magwizi cited the MDC‘s organising secretary in the area, one Hove whom he
said was severely tortured and left for dead by captain Ndlovu.
“I confronted these soldiers about their nefarious activities in the area
because I am really disappointed since I am the one who recruited these
people in the liberation struggle while I was the Southern Front 3 commander
in ZIPRA. When I confronted them about what they are doing, they said they
were taking orders from Col Exvia Hungwe. After that I got in touch with
Hungwe and he told me not to interfere with the business of his boys,” said
Magwizi.
Magwizi vowed that the trust will continue with its community healing
programme as well as exposing war veterans who are terrorising civilians on
behalf of Zanu (PF).
“We fought to free this country from all forms of oppression. What our
colleagues are doing is against what the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe died
for.”
Radio VOP was not able to obtain a comment from the accused ZNA top
officials on the alleged cases of violence although the Defence Minister
Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly denied the soldiers’involvement in
politics.
The ZIPRA national healing programme is aimed at forcing perpetrators of
violence to confess and apologise to the community for engaging in violent
activities.
The programme has so far been conducted in some parts of Midlands, Harare,
Matabeleland North and South.