“I successfully passed the army entrance tests at Vengere Police Station and with hundreds of other successful candidates, we were transported to Cranebone Barracks in Harare, March. Cranebone Barracks would be a transit camp as we were destined to under-go a six month military training either at Llwellin Barracks (Bulawayo), Magunji Barracks or at All Arms Battle School in Nyanga.
“On the eve of the harmonised March 2008 elections, we were paraded by senior army officials and told we would be released so that we go home and cast our votes.
“It was made clear that if ever Zanu (PF) and Mugabe were to lose in the elections our chances of joining the army would be reduced to zero. On returning from voting our fingers would be inspected to verify that we had cast our votes.
“We were subsequently issued with bus and train warrants enabling us to access transport on government expense.
The March election was generally peaceful and we cast our vote without incident. Contrary to instructions given by the army that we vote Mugabe and Zanu (PF), I cast my vote otherwise, as the wind of change was blowing too strong to resist.
“As warned, on returning to the barracks we were subjected to a thorough finger – tip inspection to fish out culprits who would not have participated in the election.
Those with suspicious and doubtful ink marks were given thorough beatings.
“When the Presidential poll results took long to be announced, anxiety started mounting among residents in and around Harare suburbs. One evening, despite having not received military training, we were issued with military uniform and baton sticks before being deployed to beat up people roaming about suburbs such as Budiriro, Mabvuku, Glenview and others.
“We were operating in groups of eight under strict instruction to beat the hell out of anything on two legs moving about in the night. Innocent civilians on their day to day activities were caught in the cross-fire. “Beating up civilians suspected to be MDC intensified with the creation of torture bases across the country by Zanu (PF). The evil exercise became routine until after the discredited Presidential election re-run.
“At army camps, especially commando barracks, we witnessed suspected MDC activists brought to the camp for ‘political orientation lessons’ in the form of severe beatings.
“Soon after the June election, we were put into three different groups according to where one would receive military training. Army buses were availed to ferry us to various training camps. I was destined for Llwellin Barracks.
“The number of deserters ran into several hundreds and this forced army instructors to pick up any youth moving along the City-Airport road and around town, as they were suspected to be some of the fleeing recruits.
“I felt betrayed by the partisan senior army officers and Zanu (PF) who destroyed my childhood ambition to serve my country as a professional soldier. I found it difficult to believe Zanu (PF) politics was so institutionalised in the defence forces”.
Army insiders later told the Zimbabwean that hundreds of other recruits in Murimi’s situation slipped out of training camps to desert the army.
Murimi is now pursuing professional and technical courses at a technical training college in order that he might make a meaningful contribution towards the country’s economy.
Post published in: Politics