PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has condemned in the “strongest possible terms” the “cowardly and senseless” attack on members of the security services at a police post in Chivhu over the weekend.
Two assailants stormed Chivhu Police Post on Saturday and shot two soldiers, killing Lance Corporal Lorance Mupunganyama while Corporal Peter Zvirevo sustained multiple injuries.
The two soldiers were enforcing Covid-19 national lockdown measures when the assailants hit the ZRP post in what the police described as “a murder, attempted murder and robbery incident”.
A combined police and army team tracked the assailants down Sunday resulting in a gun battle after the duo resisted arrested and instead opened fire on the security services team.
The assailants were killed in the ensuing gun battle while Corporal Stanalious Chiunyesu of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) stained leg injuries.
In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa said he had learnt of the passing Lance Corporal Mupunganyama with a “deep sense of shock and great sadness”.
He said the “cowardly and senseless” attack by the assailants must be “condemned in the strongest possible terms by all peace-loving Zimbabweans”.
“Government will not tolerate anyone who attacks, harms kills any member of the security establishment, let alone disarming and unlawfully taking arms of war in their possession. Any breach of this nature will attract severe punishment,” said the President.
“The role played by members of the public at the Chivhu crime scene when they rendered help to the injured soldiers and took them to nearest health facility is highly commendable and exemplary.
“Their actions were a show of great compassion and high respect for the work our soldiers do to ensure national security and a demonstration of the spirit of Ubuntu that has come to characterise our great nation.”
The injured servicemen – Corporal Zvirevo and Corporal Chiunye – are now admitted at West End Hospital in Harare after being transferred from Chivhu Hospital.
Corporal Zvirevo is critical and is admitted in the intensive care unit after undergoing an operation.
Mnangagwa wished the injured servicemen “a speedy recovery”.
“Our hearts and prayers are with all the affected families,” he said. – ZBC
