BY KENNETH NYANGANI
A 29-YEAR-OLD Mutare man succumbed to internal injuries sustained after being assaulted by soldiers during the army crackdown on last month’s countrywide protests.
Noah Sahumbe (29), a Sakunda Energy employee, who was allegedly beaten up by soldiers on January 20 in Zimunya suburb while watching a football match at a local bar, died of kidney failure, a post-mortem report revealed.
After the assault, Sahumbe was taken to Zimunya Clinic before being referred to Mutare Provincial Hospital and later taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare after his health deteriorated.
Sahumbe, who was laid to rest yesterday at Zimunya cemetery, got an emotional send-off from hundreds of mourners including MDC Manicaland spokesperson Trevor Saruwaka and Mutasa South legislator Regai Tsunga, among others.
Saruwaka said his party condemned the alleged barbaric acts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
“We condemn the barbaric acts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. This was an innocent person. He was not our party member, but we are saddened by how he was killed,” he said
“We have already put a motion in Parliament to debate on the brutalisation and unlawful activities being perpetrated by the military. This is a low-key genocide. I am surprised why this government is carrying out acts of brutality on innocent citizens,” he said.
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Tsunga said it was sad that his family had lost a bread winner.
“The family has lost a breadwinner who had a bright future as he was young. It is very sad as it is regrettable that those who have been the future have been taken away in sad situations,” he said.
Sahumbe is survived by his wife and two children.
The government deployed soldiers onto the streets after the three-day stayaway organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions turned violent.
During the clampdown, soldiers allegedly forced their way into homes and night spots in high-density suburbs, beating up civilians and arresting others, mostly men including juveniles.
Twelve people were shot dead, while hundreds were injured during the blitzkrieg.
