aims that the crackdown was an economic move aimed at helping the suffering masses, it may have been a bid to gain populist advantage.
A document leaked to this paper outlines the operation, which was agreed upon by arms of the Mugabe regime that included the police, Central Intelligence Organisation, ministries as well as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
The document, with reference number H 01/07/07 and marked “secret”, identified the plan as “Operation Order Number 35/2007: Operation Good Governance/ Dzikamai/ Hlasekani”.
The Zimbabwean cannot verify its authenticity, but the document reads, “It has been noted with great concern that the escalating price increases being witnessed across the board in the economy were a political plot engineered by the West to effect a regime change against the ruling party and its
government after the failure of the economic sanctions.
“This is a manifestation of unacceptable indiscipline and corruption, which threatens to tear the fabric of our society.”
It identifies the targets of its operation. “Enemy forces; All anti-Zimbabwe government elements and their allies are seen as potential threats to the security of the country.
The document also confirms the spending of an undisclosed amount of funds from the RBZ on allowances – for Harare alone, 400 police officers were involved in addition to almost the same number of other officials from other departments of the regime, such as ministries, army and CIO. “Travelling and subsistence allowances shall be paid throughout the operations,” it states.
The government departments involved are listed as: the police, the army, CIO, the RBZ as well as ministries for Industry and International Trade, Economic Development, State for Policy Implementation, State for State Enterprises, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and Minister without Portfolio Elliot Manyika who performed the role of commander in chief of the operation.
This project has left a trail of destruction, with business closures and job losses, whilst starvation stalks the nation.
Post published in: News