By Own Correspondent| Government has dismissed media reports that the Zimbabwe Republic Police was tracking down 25 soldiers involved in looting.

Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema said that the story was published by media houses pushing for ‘regime change’.

In a press statement released on Friday night, Mathema said:

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has noted with grave concern an increase of media groups whose agenda is now very clear. They are pushing for regime change in Zimbabwe.

The story in the Newsday edition of 31st January 2019 cannot go unchallenged, which story is reproduced from The Guardian. The headline on the Newsday states that, ‘Police dossier nails army in rights abuses . . . 25 soldiers sought in looting case’, which creates a misconception that the Zimbabwe Republic Police is desperately pursuing leads to arrest 25 soldiers who have committed a crime.

This story was written and completed on the basis of sources and in order to give it credence a comment was then conveniently sought from the police. It is clear from the onset that the motive was to have an official comment from the police irrespective of whether police confirmed or not, thus justifying their story.

… We wish therefore to categorically dismiss these claims and challenge those with genuine complaints to report to the police.

The government has continued to strenuously deny reports that security agents were involved in looting and torture of members of the public during nationwide protests.-StateMedia