Zimbabwe’s court-martial has sentenced three soldiers to 15 years in prison each for armed robbery, theft and unlawful entry.

In a statement, seen by Pindula News, Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Alphios Makotore identified the trio as Lance Corporal Ndlovu Fortune and privates Manyanga Ratiel and Masase Kainos. We prevent the statement below:

They were convicted of armed robbery, unlawful entry and theft after a fully contested trial before the General Court Martial seating in Bulawayo last week. They had all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trio, who were all serving with 4 Infantry Brigade in Masvingo, committed armed robbery, unlawful entry and theft cases in and around Masvingo between January and July 2021. Ndlovu was reduced in rank to private before all three were discharged from the Zimbabwe National Army with ignominy, and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for the offences. The Zimbabwe National Army has warned that any of its members caught on the wrong side of the law will face the full wrath of the law.