Members of the Zimbabwe National Army ran riot in Malipati last Friday night,
vandalising a Chiwara Bus Service coach, beating up its driver and
conductor, and terrorising its passengers whom they accused of being border
jumpers.
The case was reported to Chikombedzi Police Station where a
police officer reportedly failed to record a statement from the soldiers
because they were very drunk. When TellZim News sought a comment, Masvingo Police
spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula said she had not received the report.
However, people said at around
23:00 hrs, the bus, which was travelling from Chiredzi to Dhavata, dropped some
passengers at a place called Corner 18. Some of the disembarked passengers met a group of eight
drunk soldiers who threatened them, forcing the terrified travellers to run
back and get onto the bus.
The soldiers, reportedly led by one Lt Serimani, followed
them and ordered the driver to release the passengers whom they wanted to 'deal
with' but the driver refused.
This angered the soldiers who then allegedly shattered the
windscreen, damaged the tyres and assaulted Shepherd Matambo, the driver and
Thomas Macharaga, the conductor.
Maxwell Chiwara, who is the proprietor of Chiwara Bus
Services, blamed acts of hooliganism by the soldiers for the damage to his bus
and the assault on his employees.
"Soldiers vandalised my bus and tortured my employees
after he refused to force passengers out. The windscreen was damaged and tyres
punctured by the soldiers who claimed to have power over all affairs in this
country.
"They accused our passengers of being border jumpers
but do we need passports to move from one province to another? The bus was
travelling to a place which is close to Matabeleland South province and that is
some 30 km to the border with South Africa. How then could we be accused of
ferrying illegal immigrants?" said Chiwara.
Chiredzi South Member of Parliament, Rtd Brig Gen Kalisto
Gwanetsa criticised the conduct of the soldiers saying their actions were
detrimental to investment in the transport potential of the area.
"Chiwara has been an all-weather friend on the routes
of Chiredzi South. We have a lot of enquiries from various operators who want
to explore local routes but I am afraid if they get to hear about this, they
may as well decide to stay out," said Gwanetsa, adding that he had spoken
to authorities at 4 Brigade about the incident. Tell Zimbabwe
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