The military yesterday alleged that protesters broke into
police armouries and stole guns which they used to kill citizens, including a
police officer, during last month’s national shutdown that turned violent.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Zimbabwe
Defence Forces (ZDF) Chief of Staff, Major-General Douglas Nyikayaramba
distanced the military from the shootings.
He, however, justified the heavy handedness by the
military, arguing that the ZDF’s response was proportionate to the level of
violence and damage caused by the protesters.
The army general said police investigations have shown that
the protesters and deserters from the military were responsible for the
killings.
Nyikayaramba said about 165 shops owned by ordinary
citizens were looted, warranting the military intervention after police sought
reinforcements.
He said the soldiers would remain deployed on the streets
until the situation was under control.
“Protesters destroyed about 165 shops owned by ordinary
members of the public,” Nyikayaramba said.
“They overran police stations, burnt police and public
transport vehicles and also killed citizens including a police officer. They
broke into police armouries, stealing weapons and ammunition, which they used
to kill people.
“Had the military not come in support of the Zimbabwe
Republic Police, one wonders whether the whole country would not have been
looted that day. ZDF, however, regrets the loss of life which followed the
unnecessary disturbances.”
Asked how he had arrived at that conclusion, Nyikayaramba
said: “Police investigations have shown that.”
Human rights organisations say 17 people died during the
military crackdown following the three-day national shutdown called by the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and social movements Tajamuka and #ThisFlag.
According to a Human Rights NGO Forum report, over 1 700
people were assaulted by the military, 81 people had gunshot wounds, while 16
women were allegedly raped.
The crackdown is still ongoing, with the military
conducting night raids and beating up people.
Soldiers are also a common sight at police roadblocks,
while they have also pitched up bases at police stations. More cases of assault
are still being reported.
“Following the deployment of the ZDF, there have been a
number of serious allegations levelled against us, including human rights
abuses, rape, assaults, extortion and others,” Nyikayaramba said.
“It is important to state that the ZDF’s response was
commensurate to the level of violence and damage caused by the protesters.”
He urged people whose rights had been violated, including
rape, which he described as uncouth, to report to the police, saying fair
investigations would be conducted, including parades to identify perpetrators
if need be.
“Soldiers were deployed to patrol the streets and if there
are soldiers who could have acted over board, investigations will be
conducted,” he said.
The military, Nyikayaramba said, places discipline at the
centre of its conduct and anyone caught on the wrong side would be disciplined.
The army boss also claimed that acts of abuse could have
been perpetrated by deserters who fled with army uniforms, which he said they
now used to perpetrate criminal activities.
“We have been flashing out rogue elements and we have a
challenge that some of them ran away with our uniforms. Some of the uniforms
are stolen on washing lines, which other people use to perpetrate criminal
activities,” he said.
“Some of the uniforms are taken from deceased people. We
have not been collecting them and it’s a weakness in the system. We urge all
those with the uniforms to return them. Some have started returning them and
there is a heap in Epworth from people surrendering them.”
Nyikayaramba said the country was not under insurgency, but
was under attack from criminal elements using military uniforms.
“There is no terrorism in Zimbabwe. There is no insurgency.
It is only the acts of those criminal elements,” he said. Newsday
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