By Lloyd Takawira
Armed robbers masquerading as soldiers are using signed search warrants to access their victims premises, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has said.
This follows barely a week after Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe claimed before Senate that both serving and former police officers and soldiers were involved in a majority of armed robberies recorded throughout the country.
ZNA however refuted the claims arguing that it’s a group of armed robbers who are masquerading as members of the army and Criminal Investigation Department detectives robbing people using fake search warrants.
In a statement, ZNA Director of Public Relations Colonel Alphios Makotore said that public must be on the lookout for the bogus soldiers.
“The gang, numbering between four and six criminals, will be dressed in ZNA camouflage uniforms and others in civilian attire acting as Criminal Investigations Department police officers,” he said.
Makotore further said the robbers are using fake search warrants purportedly signed by the Commander of Defence Forces, Valerio Sibanda claiming that the bearer has the authority to search premises or individuals and seize any articles which may lead to acts of terrorism.
Col Makotore said the ZNA was not conducting such operations, adding that anyone purporting to be representing the organization in such acts were criminals.
“The fake search warrants have been recovered and are being used by the police as exhibits,” he said.
Speaking to Senators last Thursday Kazembe Kazembe said that it is indeed true that soldiers and police are some of the robbers who are terrorizing communities.
“It is, indeed, true that most of these cases of armed robberies are being done by armed men and women from the police force as well as the army. I would like to emphasis and indicate that government is, indeed, working on that, but I would also like to indicate that such cases have decreased,” Kazembe said.
“Some who resist arrest are being shot. We have two or three cases like that, the recent case, that of eight, a group we arrested recently. We have many groups that are involved, but I am happy that police are doing all they can to fix this issue. We also have an integration program and because of the technology which was passed by government, I think this will go a long way in assisting us.”
There have been questions over the welfare of security services after some serving and retired members of the police and military have been involved in robberies. Some have argued that poor remuneration has pushed soldiers and police to turn to crime.
However the Kazembe said security officers should be patriotic and continue serving the nation even when poorly paid.
“Let me say when people are being enrolled in the police force, they take oaths that they will discharge their duties. We do not expect them to complain when they are in the system. Even if we are to give them 50-fold salaries, will they abide by the rules and regulations governing the police force?”
