New twist to Chinhoyi ZNA officers’ armed robbery case
THE case in which some Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) personnel were recently arrested on allegations of armed robbery in Chinhoyi has taken new twist, amid suspicion that it was an assigned military operation.
By Abel Karowangoro
The soldiers were reportedly surrenderd by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) into the responsibility of the Zimbabwe Military Police, who have now allegedly taken charge of the army ‘culprits’.
A ZNA insider told this publication that the “armed robbers” were released and handed over to the army without following due processes.
“The soldiers who were
arrested were taken to the army police unit so that they put them on trial in a military court (Court Marshal),” the source, who preferred anonymity, said.
“All of them have now appeared before a military court and have told the court that they were conducting a legal operation that their bosses were aware of.
“The accused ZNA members claimed
they had so far conducted various assigned operations which they said they will give more detailed information about if they sensed the trial was moving towards their conviction,” the source added.
Most of those arrested for the Chinhoyi “robbery” are ZNA corporals and colour sergeants.
The arrested ZNA officers have been named as Ishmael Neboet Zibula (29), a corporal at the Inkomo Parachute Regiment; Spencer Chigondo (29), also a corporal; Ruka Matemai Bitone (39), a colour sergeant; James Bhebhe, alias Mitewell Moyo (29), a corporal; Trust Hapanyengwi (31), also a corporal; Mighty Nyoni (34), another corporal and Chadmore Chakaingesu (42), who is a colour sergeant.
The list also includes Tozivei Kunyangamara (42), Casten Kamuchira (38), Clinton Mazwimaviri (52), Stewart Kasenda (36), a gold panner and Tawanda Magaya (24), who is unemployed.
Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi would neither confirm nor deny the arrests when approached for comment last month.
The ZNA spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Aphios Makotore, had not responded to questions send him at the time of going to Press.
Meanwhile, allegations surrounding the Chinhoyi robbery are that the soldiers (including their civilian henchmen) attacked Chidamoyo Hospital in Hurungwe on the July 6 at around 4am.
The gang allegedly force-opened one Cathy McCarthy’s residence and forced-marched her to the hospital at gunpoint.
It is alleged that the gang then ordered her to surrender a safe in which US$1 700 and ZWL3 000 was stashed.
She and two other security guards were then left lying on the ground with their hands tied about 500 metres away from the hospital.
The ‘robbers’ were arrested in Chinhoyi after numerous roadblocks were mounted in search of them by armed police and soldiers along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.
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