Armed with sjamboks, the soldiers and police officers who recently got their annual bonuses set their vicious dogs on the panic-stricken revellers. The revellers were shocked by the callous manner in which the soldiers indiscriminately beat up people in the area.
“Quite a number of people were injured in the beatings,” said one of the residents. One of the victims, Tendayi Madhibha of Karoi, said he was drinking beer with his friends at a bar in Karoi when soldiers and police set dogs on them.
The dogs savaged his shoulder, left leg and foot. The wounds were so serious that he was referred to Chinhoyi where he was treated by a private doctor. He was discharged after two days.
Soldiers from Magunje barracks are forcing bars and bottle stores to play Zanu PF jingles, a situation reminiscent with the 2008 violent elections. Mashonaland West Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Mabweazara refused to comment on the matter.
Efforts to get comment from Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) spokesperson Major Alphios Makotore were fruitless.
