News / National
Junior soldier guns down colleague with an AK47 rifle
06 Jun 2012 at 05:16hrs | Views
A SOLDIER was shot and killed by a colleague following a misunderstanding at an army base in Chikombedzi last week.
The soldier was allegedly shot in the stomach with an AK47 rifle and died on the spot. The incident occurred at 4 Infantry Brigade Base in Sengwe communal lands, Chikombedzi.
The 4 Infantry Brigade spokesperson, Captain Elton Mutore, yesterday said one of their junior soldiers has since been arrested by police for killing another soldier. Captain Mutore said investigations were still underway.
"There was a fatal shooting incident that took place at an army base in the general area of Chief Sengwe, Davata, last Friday at around 1915 hours. Preliminary investigations so far show that there was a dispute between the two junior soldiers which resulted in one of the soldiers shooting the other in the stomach with an AK47 rifle and he died on the spot.
"We cannot release the names of the soldiers involved at the moment as investigations are still continuing, but the suspect has since been arrested and is in police custody," said Capt Mutore.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tineyi Matake yesterday confirmed the incident, but referred all questions to the army.
"I cannot comment on that issue because it is being handled by the army," said Inspector Matake.
It is not clear what might have precipitated the fatal shooting between the soldiers but sources said the two had a long-standing feud over an undisclosed issue.
Capt Mutore said the body was taken to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
The soldier was allegedly shot in the stomach with an AK47 rifle and died on the spot. The incident occurred at 4 Infantry Brigade Base in Sengwe communal lands, Chikombedzi.
The 4 Infantry Brigade spokesperson, Captain Elton Mutore, yesterday said one of their junior soldiers has since been arrested by police for killing another soldier. Captain Mutore said investigations were still underway.
"There was a fatal shooting incident that took place at an army base in the general area of Chief Sengwe, Davata, last Friday at around 1915 hours. Preliminary investigations so far show that there was a dispute between the two junior soldiers which resulted in one of the soldiers shooting the other in the stomach with an AK47 rifle and he died on the spot.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tineyi Matake yesterday confirmed the incident, but referred all questions to the army.
"I cannot comment on that issue because it is being handled by the army," said Inspector Matake.
It is not clear what might have precipitated the fatal shooting between the soldiers but sources said the two had a long-standing feud over an undisclosed issue.
Capt Mutore said the body was taken to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
Source - TH
