President Emmerson Mnangagwa has spoken on the Chivhu shooting incident that claimed two soldiers in separate incidents over the weekend.
Mnangagwa also warned the public against attacking soldiers saying “Government will not tolerate anyone who attacks, harms or kills any member of the security establishment, let alone disarming and unlawfully taking arms of war in their possession.”
He added that, “Any breach of this nature will attract severe punishment.”
Savanna News publishes the full statement below:
Condolence Message by His Excellency the President, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa, following the death of Lance Corporal Mupanganyama in Chivhu, 70 September, 2020 .
It was with a deep sense or shock and great sadness that I learnt about the Chivhu shooting incident on Saturday afternoon, 5th September 2020, which claimed the life of one serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lance Corporal Lorance Mupanganyama, and left the second member, Corporal Peter Zvirevo, with serious gunshot injuries.
This cowardly and senseless attack by an assailant on the two soldiers who were enforcing lockdown measures aimed at mitigating the spread of the deadly Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) at the Police Base near the Chivhu Chicken Inn, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all peace-loving Zimbabweans.
Government will not tolerate anyone who attacks, harms or 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.
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 the 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 characterize our great Nation.
On behalf of Government, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my heart-felt condolences to the family of the late Lance Corporal Mupanganyama on his untimely death. May his soul of rest in eternal peace.
In the same breath, I wish speedy recovery to Corporal Peter Zvirevo who sustained injuries during the attack and to Corporal Stanalious Chiunye. who was shot at yesterday, in the course of apprehending the suspected assailants. Our hearts and prayers are with all the affected families.