The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has laboured to defend its members who brutalised civilians over beer at Mbalabala Shopping Centre on Christmas eve. 

 Below is the ZNA statement on the matter:

RESPONSE TO NEWSHAWKS STORY TITLED SOLDIERS REPORTEDLY ASSAULT VILLAGERS AFTER EXCHANGING TAUNTS OVER ALCOHOL

Reference is made to the NewsHawks story titled ‘Soldiers Reportedly Assduit Villagers after Exchanging Taunts over Alcohol,’ published on 28 December 2021. The article was also published in other online publications. In the story, it is alleged that imbibers and soldiers exchanged taunts over beer at Mbalabala Shopping Centre on Christmas eve, resulting in the soldiers mobilising the police to attack residents randomly. The ZNA would like to put it on record that its members were never involved in the incident in question as they were never at that place. The business centre in question is strictly out of bounds to all our members.

The area is in a gold mining region where illegal gold mining activities are rampant. Investigations have revealed that the incident involved artisanal miners (Makorokoza) who were fighting amongst themselves. ZRP Esigodini reacted and dispersed the rowdy artisanal miners. The Army encourages Journalists to always check with the police to verify information and incidents before rushing to publish unverified stories.

ALPHIOS MAKOTORE 

Colonel

Director Army Public Relations