After vowing never to salute Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwes army Generals finally saluted the Prime Minister during the Defence Forces ceremony in Harare on Tuesday. The Generals, who had always said their loyalty was only to Mugabe, gave what is seen as a boost to the troubled coalition government by marking their respects, as the PrimPolitical commentator Professor John Makumbe said: Its about time. This is a positive moment. It is a shame they have only done this six months after the inauguration of the inclusive government. But he (Tsvangirai) has respected them by showing up at the Heroes celebrations and the burial of Vice President Msika, and today at the Defence Forces Day and so they should reciprocate.
However, observers say the significance of this act by the service chiefs will be fully appreciated and realised in the days and months ahead. The observers asked: Will the selective prosecutions stop? Will the youth militia be disbanded? Will the constitution reform process be unfettered and free of tom-thuggery and tom-foolery and how much of this progress is a realisation that SADC under President Zuma will not tolerate belligerence?
Makumbe said if the abuses dont change, especially by the army, their saluting of Tsvangirai would be just the height of hypocrisy.
Meanwhile, the MDC-T called for the de-politicisation of the defence forces, and appealed to uniformed forces to support and not undermine the coalition government, as the country commemorated Defence Forces Day. Since the formation of the inclusive government in February the MDC has made numerous statements accusing members of the police of applying the law selectively, and targeting MDC members. Only last week the MDC was accusing soldiers of tearing down posters publicising a star rally to be addressed by party President Morgan Tsvangirai in Mutare.
Ironically, while speaking at the Tuesday ceremony, Mugabe defended the security forces, despite the widespread reports by human rights groups and the MDC itself of violations committed by security forces. He rejected the accusations that the army had committed abuses during last year’s elections, or even under the present coalition government.
The MDC, a partner in the coalition government, insists politically motivated violence and victimisation is still continuing, especially in the rural areas, and gave examples of places like Vhumbunu Primary School in Mutasa Central, where soldiers are allegedly harassing and torturing innocent villagers.
The MDC called upon all uniformed forces of Zimbabwe to embrace the letter and spirit of the Global Political Agreement, and said, it is vital for our uniformed forces to support, rather than undermine, the structure and hierarchy of the Inclusive government.
Former freedom fighter Wilfred Mhanda says the MDC seems to be at pains to curry favours with the defence forces, when they know they dont have their respect. As far as we know, our defence forces for the past ten years have behaved in a very partisan manner. They have spearheaded bloody campaigns against the people and have spearheaded campaigns in Chiadzwa (diamond area) and killed hundreds of people.
The outspoken commentator said the uniformed forces have to turn over a new leaf to prove that they are no longer Mugabes instruments. He said: Right now they are not a national defence force, but serving the interest of Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF. So I think the MDC has to be alive to that.
Mhanda believes the MDC is a mere junior partner in the inclusive government, and therefore unable to call the shots where the armed forces are concerned.
Post published in: News