Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Air Marshal Shiri survives assassination attempt

Air Marshal Shiri survives assassination attempt
Chronicle/Zim Guardian
Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:59:00 +0000

AIR Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perence Shiri was shot and injured on Saturday evening by unidentified gunmen who ambushed him while he was driving to his farm, according to state media. The assassination attempt occurred at around 8:30pm Zimbabwean time. According to reports from Harare, Air Marshal Shiri suffered a gunshot wound on the right palm and is receiving treatment at a Harare hospital.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi, said the AFZ Commander was in a stable condition. The Government yesterday said the attack on Air Marshal Shiri appeared to be part of targeted terror attacks to destabilise the country.

“The attack on Air Marshal Shiri appears to be a build-up of terror attacks targeting high-profile persons, Government officials, Government establishments and public transportation systems,” Mohadi said in a statement announcing the assassination attempt.

On 2 August this year, Harare Central Police Station was bombed and this was followed by the bombing of the Manyame River road and rail bridges on 21 August, which was meant to disable the national transportation system.

On 17 November, the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in Harare was also bombed and three days later, Harare Central Police Station was similarly attacked.

Mohadi said the assassination attempt on Air Marshal Shiri showed the assailants were trained and there was a clear pattern to destabilise the country through acts of terrorism.

He said thorough investigations were in progress and the nation would be kept informed as these investigations yield results.

“We appeal to anyone with information connected to this heinous incident to come forward and help with police investigations which are already underway," Mohadi said.

The Government has said it now has “compelling evidence” tying Botswana to the training of bandits believed to be linked to an alleged MDC-T plot to unconstitutionally unseat the Government.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa at the weekend said evidence collected established that Botswana provided human and material resources for the training of the MDC-T bandits.

MDC denies the allegation.

The Sadc Troika on Politics, Defence and Security is pursuing the matter by the Zimbabwean Government’s presentation and has since ordered a full investigation into the issue. - Chronicle/Zim Guardian

Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, PERENCE SHIRI

posted by MrK @ 7:06 PM