Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he is appalled by an attack by security officials on a protester that was featured in a TV news report.
His statement comes after widespread criticism of the way security forces have handled recent protests.
Mr Mnangagwa says he has ordered the arrest of those behind the attack.
His condemnation has received mixed reaction with some calling him uninformed.
The state-funded Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has accused soldiers of using “systematic torture” in the crackdown on protests.
It has strongly criticised the authorities for using troops to quell demonstrations.