By Own Correspondent| Two soldiers who were part of a group of six men who attacked and humiliated Mutare journalist, Clayton Masekesa before posting their acts on social media will be punished accordingly, the army has said.

Captain Moreblessings Mugumbate, 3 Brigade public relations officer, said the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is a professional organisation that does not condone criminality hence the duo will also be “disciplined internally”.

“Reference is made to your phone call question regarding the Mutare journalist who is alleged to have been subjected to a military-style punishment of being made to roll in the mud and being made to display condoms to the camera while being mocked for being a cheapskate.

In response we would like to state that the Zimbabwe National Army is a professional organisation that does not condone acts of indiscipline and criminality by its members.

“Any of its members caught on the wrong side of the law is subject to the country’s laws. Furthermore, internal disciplinary measures are also applied,” said the ZNA while responding to questions sent by a Mutare based publication..

“Their alleged involvement in such an ugly act wasn’t within the confines of operations of the ZNA neither were they acting under directives from anyone from within the organisation.

“They (suspects) were not in any way representing the organisation,” said Captain Mugumbate.

On Tuesday Saul Tomu (53), Penelock Majonhi (41), Everson Mark Marozva (33), Hope Mwaipa (33) Joachim Runyanga (35) and John Takaendesa (42) were remanded in custody when they appeared before magistrate, Ms Perserverance Makala, facing kidnapping and assault charges.

The six men were asked not to plead and denied bail pending their application for bail which they were told to submit at the High Court.

Mwaipa and Runyanga are soldiers while Majoni and Marozva are traffic police officers. Tomu and Takaendesa are Mutare municipal cops.- Manica Post.