10 November 2009
Bulawayo — Soldiers attached to the presidential guard allegedly attacked 41 former street children at a rehabilitation centre on the city's outskirts accusing them of being MDC-T supporters, officials said last week. The attack, described by authorities at the home as "vicious", allegedly followed a false alarm raised by one of the soldiers guarding State House.
Thuthuka Centre training manager, Mqhele Mlupi said the incident was sparked by a clash between two boys from Trenance suburb and some of the children at the centre.
Mlupi said the two boys had proposed love to a girl at the centre who turned them down.
"These two boys arrived at the centre and asked to see the young girl.
"Sensing there could be problems, the young girl told her colleagues at the centre about the visitors' intentions.
"Older boys, feeling they had a responsibility to protect one of their own, told the intruders to leave but they would not budge, resulting in an altercation," he said.
Twelve of the boys at the centre teamed up to assault the two boys who had to seek refuge at their brother's residence at a camp for the soldiers.
Seeing that they were being overpowered, the two boys called their brother who raised alarm that his residence "was under attack from MDC-T supporters".
Within minutes, a truck with more than 20 soldiers reportedly arrived at the centre.
"They did not try and understand what happened," Mlupi said. "They beat up all the kids at the centre, including other staffers who take care of the children.
"They used all sorts of things, rifle butts, booted feet, logs, and anything they could lay their hands on.
They eventually took some of the children and beat them up again before releasing them.
"All the 41 were savagely beaten up but about 11 sustained serious injuries."
On their way back to the camp, the soldiers allegedly attacked several people at drinking spots in Saurstown, which is near State House.
The soldiers made a police report that the children had attacked their camp but Mlupi said the police were "shocked to see the people accused of damaging property".
Mlupi said the presidential guard officers were also threatening the police officers who had opened dockets against them.
"What has even made the issue more complex is the revelation that there was a false alarm raised by this presidential guard officer.
"We were told that the report initially said the children from the centre were MDC-T activists and they were 30 and not 12," Mlupi said.
According to medical reports seen by The Standard some of the children suffered internal injuries.
Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka confirmed the incident.
He said police received reports that a house belonging to a soldier attached to the presidential guard was attacked by unidentified youths and investigations into the case were still underway.
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Another example of how there is nothing below the bootlickers of ZANU-Poof to enforce "their" will on the people of Zimbabwe.......
For Christ's sake! They beat orphans because one of their ilk wasn't allowed to rape a girl!
Yet another example of the monster that is ZANU-Poof and the terror they have imposed upon the people of Zimbabwe.....
"Total Empowerment!" - to rape and beat children - how "empowered" the bootlickers must feel...........