13 soldiers still on the run after Mbare mayhem

Police in Zimbabwe are still looking for 13 soldiers who assaulted Mbare residents two weeks ago in retaliation for an attack on their colleague. Two of the soldiers were arrested after police made follow-ups to the reports.

The rogue soldiers first attacked one family before they assaulted other residents who were within the vicinity of the house. The soldiers had failed to locate a 17-year-old boy involved in the altercation with one of the soldiers.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector James Sabau, at the weekend said he had no new information regarding the outstanding 13 soldiers.

“I still have to confirm with the responsible police station if there is any breakthrough regarding the other members of the gang, but as of now there is nothing new that I can confirm,” he said.

Some of the assaulted Mbare residents said their ordeal started after a soldier who stays at a Mbare flat was involved in a fist-fight with a 17-year-old schoolboy after a heated argument.

The soldier then mobilised his army colleagues and started looking for the teenager. After their efforts proved futile, the gang got violent, beating up members of the boy’s family and other residents, accusing them of hiding the boy.