Zimondi’s Recless Utterances Unacceptable!!

The MDC condemns the reckless and unmeasured utterances by the Commissioner of Prisons, Paradzai Zimondi, that he would not salute an elected President other than Robert Mugabe after the 29th March election. These utterances are being made after the realization that President Tsvangirai is a few inches from State House. The MDC is definitely set for a landslide victory against a divided, confused and weakened Zanu PF. Any utterances that seek to undermine the people’s will are an assault on the fabric of democracy and the expression of free will.We are aware that Zimondi’s statements are not shared by the majority of our professional uniformed forces in the country who remain loyal to the people’s wishes and aspirations. Zimondi should proceed to resign as an individual rather than try and coerce the entire disciplined force into a rebellion on account of Mugabe’s imminent and inevitable defeat on 29 March.  In his statement which has shocked the nation, Zimondi, a retired soldier, said he was giving “an order” to his subordinates to vote for Mugabe. The world over, in normal democracies, the uniformed forces are guided by the compass of the sovereign will of the people. Our uniformed forces should be loyal to the country’s laws and its people and not individuals.Reckless utterances like the one made by Zimondi invite a forced exit from national service.The MDC believes it is a flagrant affront to the Constitution of Zimbabwe for a service chief to tell uniformed officers to vote for a particular candidate in an election. There is no shadow of doubt anymore that we have become a banana republic where the collective will of the people is not respected. The MDC condemns the reckless and partisan utterances by a serving officer. Zimondi’s statements are treasonous. His statement is a coup on the Constitutional order. It is intended to intimidate the people of Zimbabwe against voting for their preferred candidate in this month’s election. It confirms that there is no guarantee to a free and fair election.As a party, we believe that Zimondi’s utterances are intended to incite our professional and loyal uniformed forces to disrespect the people’s sovereign will in the forthcoming election. The people’s will should be respected Zimondi is aware that the people of Zimbabwe have turned their back on Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF. The red card is imminent. He is aware that the looting honeymoon has finally come to an end.  It is a reckless statement which confirms that even Mugabe’s henchmen are clear on his imminent electoral defeat on 29 March 2008.   The people of Zimbabwe want to reclaim their dignity. We are tired of Zanu PF’s culture of corruption, plunder and misgovernance. We want a humble leadership. President Tsvangirai and the New Zimbabwe Team are an embodiment of that humility. We want food and jobs. We want electricity and clean water. We want justice and freedom. We don’t want politicization of our uniformed forces. We stand against incitement of violence and rebellion in our country. We stand for peace and loyalty to the people. A New Zimbabwe, a new beginning. Now is the time. Time for change; the change you can trust!!Department of Information and Publicity