Military 'Tightens Screws' On Rogue Elements
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has reportedly increased security in army barracks across the country following a rise in robberies involving soldiers.
In a bid to weed out “rogue” elements, the military is subjecting vehicles of military personnel and civilians leaving cantonments to thorough searches.
Those leaving barracks with bags are also being subjected to a stop-and-search as the army remains on high alert, reported The NewsHawks. Said a source:
This has always been standard procedure in the army but with time there was laxity.
Now those tasked with security are more vigilant as the military strives to improve discipline in its ranks and also account for rogue elements.
The army’s intelligence department is reportedly going after assets belonging to soldiers implicated in robberies.
This includes tracking and seizure of assets registered in the names of children and wives of the rogue soldiers, suspected to have been from proceeds of crime.
The NewsHawks reported army insiders as saying Lameck Kabara, from the Zimbabwe National Defence College, has since lost a car, house, and other properties, following his arrest in December 2021. Said a security official:
Lameck’s properties were repossessed. After the arrest, the military went after him so that he could get military discipline.
He, like other suspects, was also questioned on the robberies and accomplices and as you know the military interrogation is tough if not brutal.
Kabara reportedly lost properties that include assets in South Africa, a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, an Isuzu single cab truck and a house in Harare’s Zimre Park suburb.
Kabara and Christopher Charuma, who is with the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) based at Manyame Air Base, were arrested over the 24 December armed robbery and murder in Harare.
The duo allegedly committed the crimes together with Perseverence Chihota, a civilian, who was also arrested. They had got away with US$40 000.
According to the police, the two men, wearing balaclavas and armed with a service rifle, an AK47, shot dead Elvis Chijaka and also wounded Brian Chijaka.
Police said Chijaka was shot dead after interrupting a robbery following a call from his sister who was inside the house.
