HARARE The extent of the militarisation is demonstrated by the following list of military men, many of them JOC members, who have been appointed to the most important committees and organs of state. Ironically, these were formed ostensibly to facilitate the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the thematic committee on Elections, Transitional Mechanisms and Independent Commissions. Ex-military doctor Paul Chimedza was appointed to the Transmedia board while retired Brigadier Benjamin Mabenge was appointed to the ZBC board. Happison Muchechetere, a war veteran, is the chief executive officer. Retired Major-General Gibson Mashingaidzde completes the latest elaborate plan to keep Mugabe in power through his appointment to the ZTA board.
Leading the pack has been the former minister of Energy and Power Development, retired Lieutenant General Mike Nyambuya, retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri ex-minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation, ex- deputy minister of Transport retired Colonel Hubert Nyanhongo, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) board member Brigadier Douglas Nyikayaramba and Commodore Mike Karakadzai, who chairs the national railway company. The Grain Marketing Board has retired Colonel Samuel Muvuti as Chief Executive Officer, while former permanent secretary for Industry, retired Colonel Christian Katsande, is now working in the presidents office.
Justice Chiweshe, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) is a former Advocate-General in the Zimbabwe National Army. Former Attorney General Sobuza Gula-Ndebele is a Retired Colonel. The Sports and Recreation Commission is headed by Brigadier General Gibson Mashingaidze and retired Colonel Charles Nhemachena. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is also being run by ex-military man Karikoga Kaseke who is known more for threatening journalists, hotel workers and sex scandals than promoting the image of the country. Several army officers were last year involved in national food distribution. Army Brigadier, Trust Mugoba, spearheaded a government committee which sourced maize from Malawi, Zambia and South Africa.
Post published in: News