ARMY LATEST: CIO boss tortured; Nearly killed

HARARE: Despite the tranquillity in the country, the army has, however, been vicious on people netted during the blitz including Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo, Central Intelligence Organisation director of security Albert Ngulube and Zanu PF youth league secretary Kudzanayi Chipanga.

At Chombo’s house, an aide was killed when soldiers stormed his Mount Pleasant home before spraying bullets in the house.

Gunshots were also fired at ministers Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere’s houses.

Ngulube was arrested near Mugabe’s home, just after briefing Mugabe on the security situation in the country.
He reportedly stopped when he saw army tankers going in the direction of Mugabe’s home and asked the troops where they were going.

The soldiers, however, seized him as he was among a group of people targeted for capture to ensure Mugabe is isolated from his key security and political personnel.

“They took his cellphone, watch and gold chain and later detained and interrogated him. He was heavily battered. He has some cracks on his head and could have died,” said an official.

An official said a military officer, who was not happy with Ngulube’s beating, informed senior army officials of his plight, resulting in the intervention of top commanders to secure his release.

Ngulube was released on Wednesday, taken to hospital and later home.

Chombo and Chipanga were also tortured.

The situation in other parts of the country has also been calm with no sign of conflict.

There was a pronounced presence of military personnel and tanks in Harare on Wednesday but the army has been gradually scaling down since then.

The army has been manning some roadblocks and directing traffic in some instances, but soldiers manning the checkpoints have been treating motorists well. independent