A Zanu (PF) sympathiser, the repetitively named Chakamwe Chakamwe, wrote, ‘ex-military people are used to confronting issues head on without any pussyfooting. Ordinary civilian leaders tend to go round and round in circles. Ex-military leaders quickly identify all the nonsense, cut it out and go straight to the root of the problem.’
But supporters of Mugabe’s ex military government appointees will be hard-pressed to explain the abject failure of several state owned enterprises – ZBC, GMB, NRZ, MMCZ, Zimbabwe Prison Services – which were/are run by ex soldiers. Retired Brigadier-General George Chiweshe was the head of ZEC in 2008, when election results were concealed for 6weeks. The ex soldier used the advantage of all his ZNA training, when he outpaced a mob of reporters who were unrelenting in their demands for the hidden election results. Chiweshe is now Judge President.
Mugabe favours ex army men for two reasons: fear and gratitude. These are men who have dedicated their lives to preserving Mugabe’s brutal regime. In return, once retired, he fixes them up with cushy jobs. Throughout his rule, Mugabe has always been quick to address any discontent among the army with massive pay rises. During his divorce trial, General Chiwengwa’s assets were disclosed: several residential properties, farms, luxury cars, an apartment in Malaysia and a nauseatingly massive catalogue of jewellery.
Despite revelations of sinful salaries for parastatal bosses, Mugabe is powerless to do anything, as these are the very brigadiers and generals who put him in State House.
Mugabe might be President but the army generals are the silent puppeteers pulling the strings from above.
Post published in: News