Soldiers takeover roadblocks, beat up kombi drivers

Members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces on Wednesday took over the roadblocks in Bulawayo to command drivers of commuter omnibuses to charge the stipulated $1 dollar fare from the western locations to the Central Business District.

Journalist Zenzele Ndebele confirmed that he witnessed the soldiers manning roadblocks.

"I am now at Nkulumane, Sekusile. Very few kombis are at the terminus. There is a roadblock manned by soldiers and riot police on Masiyephambili and Nketa drive. A number of people confirmed they paid $1 to town today." He said.

An eyewitness who spoke to us said, "Soldiers in Pumula were stopping kombis and beating people and telling them to use a ZUPCO bus that has been provided for them."

At Tredgold Magistrate courts soldiers were reported to be stopping kombis and asking the passengers how much they paid. If they say they paid more than $1 the drivers were getting assaulted.

The operation by members of the armed forces is a series of operations to restore peace after the 14 January violent protests that rocked the country. Unfortunately, the operation has left several people dead and hundreds hospitalised from gunshot wounds while scores are in prison.

Since the army left the barracks on November 15 2017 they have never returned back.

Meanwhile President Emmerson Mnangagwa has condemned the use of violence by armed forces calling for a national dialogue with all stakeholders.