adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A ZIMBABWEAN border jumper was shot and wounded by Botswana soldiers who then dumped him bleeding profusely in a bushy area . Alters Ndebele, 23, of Tshankwa area in Bulilima, was also assaulted by the two soldiers who caught him trying to enter the neighbouring country through an illegal point on Monday around 7PM according to police source.
One of the soldiers shot Ndebele once on the right arm while the other had him pinned to the ground.
Ndebele, who was still bleeding, was picked up by a passerby who ferried him to Plumtree Hospital.
A source close to the investigations said Ndebele illegally crossed the border alone and met the two Botswana soldiers who were armed with rifles in a bushy area in the neighbouring country.
“Ndebele met the soldiers who were in uniform when he was at Ramokgwebana area and they ordered him to stop and he complied,” said the source.
The source said one of the soldiers ordered Ndebele to lie down while pointing the rifle to his head.
While on the ground, the source said, the soldiers started assaulting Ndebele with booted feet all over the body.
“The soldiers indicated that they wanted to punish Ndebele for using an illegal entry point. They shot Ndebele once on his right arm and continued assaulting him with booted feet despite pleas for mercy,” she said.
The source said the two soldiers then escorted a bleeding Ndebele to the border and dumped him in a bushy area on the Zimbabwean side.
The told him to find his way back home.
Ndebele, who was now feeling dizzy due to loss of blood, staggered towards Nxele Business Centre which is close to the border, the source said.
He was picked up by a passerby who ferried him to Plumtree District Hospital.
Ndebele was later transferred to United Bulawayo Hospitals where he is still admitted.
“His condition is said to be critical,” said the source.
Online Reporter