MUTOKO - The Zimbabwe National Army has put its soldiers on stand-by ahead of deployment to defend the besieged Mummar Gaddafi administration in Libya. Army Commander, Philip Vhilelio Sibanda, addressed soldiers based at 2 Brigade Mutoko JOC Camp, two weeks ago, Wednesday April 6 and preached about need for the ZNA to stand by Gaddaffi during his hour of need.
Sibanda visited the camp when officers from various government armed forces were doing drills ahead of the countrys recent independence celebrations. The rehearsals were being carried out by Mashonaland East-based officers from the army, police and prison services. Officers from the police and prison services were suspiciously ordered to leave the parade, which was later addressed by the army commander, said a senior army officer who attended the Sibanda address.
Sibanda told the visibly frightened junior and senior troops that since their conditions of service required them to take instructions as directed by the Commander in Chief, President Robert Mugabe, they had to be on standby and ready to be deployed for combat operations in Libya any moment soon. The army commander is touring army establishments around the country addressing soldiers in this regard.
The prospect of fighting alongside troops loyal to besieged dictators such as Gaddaffi, is against the conscience of many ZNA soldiers. This was made worse by knowledge by the soldiers that colleagues deployed to the Middle East country before, never returned to tell their story, added the source.
When fighting broke out in Libya early this year, there were rumours that Mugabe had sent his troops to defend Gaddafis falling empire in his fight against the people. Reports were vehemently denied by both the ZNA and Mugabe.
Post published in: News