Security sector reform essential

The document is full of noble pronouncements, most of which have never been implemented. The bottom line is that the Inclusive Government requires a new National Security Policy that can only come from a comprehensive National Security Strategy Review. In this, Part 1 of a new series on Zimbabwes security sector, we begin to examine desperate need for security sector reform, and what shape that might take.

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s military chiefs appeared at Zanu (PF)’s recent congress in full official regalia in contravention of government policy as enunciated in a cabinet document drafted 13 years ago, available from the Government Printer, but which has never been made public knowledge.

The document, A National Defence Policy for Zimbabwe (1997) was prepared by the late Moven Mahachi, then Minister of Defence.

Military personnel are prohibited from active participation in politics. They are however, allowed to exercise their democratic right to vote for a party or candidate of their choice and are not permitted to hold office in any political party or political organization.

Military personnel are not permitted to attend political meetings in uniform unless they are on official military duty in support of the police or the civil powers.

The introduction, written by the then secretary for defence, Job Whabira, states boldly:

The 1997 Zimbabwe Defence Policy supersedes the 1989 National Defence Policy. This Policy Document is the first to be published since the end of the Cold War and demise of the apartheid in South Africa, the end and cessation of conflicts in Mozambique, Lesotho and Angola. This Policy Document shows that Zimbabwe has embarked upon fundamental transformations of her military organisational structures and policies in order to meet new security challenges that emerged in Southern Africa.

However, as all Zimbabweans well know, the lofty ideas of fundamental transformation manifested in little less than the rank and file of the armed forces being reduced to poverty like most Zimbabweans, while the generals grew fat and wealthy on the Zanu (PF) patronage system. Even worse, than this, they armed forces were used by President Robert Mugabe, commander of the armed forces, to wage war on the people of Zimbabwe.

Whabira continued:

I therefore commend this document to the reader as a factual statement of Zimbabwes policies, goals and aspirations in the defence matters. It aims to explain how defence is planned and managed. The document helps to inform other countries, including our regional neighbours, about the rationale of our defence posture and policies. It reveals that our defence policy strives at all times to preserve our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. As well as ensuring democracy and social justice for all.

Noble phrases

The document is full of noble-sounding phrases that bear no resemblance whatsoever to the reality that has prevailed on the ground for the past decade or so.

The document also describes the civil-military relations in Zimbabwe. It shows where and how the Defence Forces fit within the hierarchy of constitutional authority. It makes it clear, Constitutional Law is used as a motor or vehicle for regulating civilian authority over the military and Zimbabwes Defence Policy constantly follows the doctrine of balancing the relationship of administrative and constitutional authority. It is revealed Defence Forces are subordinate to civilian authority which exercises supremacy and primacy over the Military in a variety of legal ways consistent with constitutional norms and provisions. That is why the document states that Defence Policy derives its internal force and legitimacy from the application of legal rules.

The document provides a guide for action by our Defence Forces and acts as a yardstick by which the public will judge military conduct. The document will, in order to keep pace with prevailing geo-political and security environment, be reviewed on a regular basis. To this end, the Ministry of Defence will welcome any contributions from all sectors of our community to facilitate informed debate on Defence issues, stated Whabira in his introduction.

Excerpts from the Policy document

The following are excerpts from the Defence Policy document:

Zimbabwe will not use the Defence Forces except to defend its national interests. The Defence Forces will continue to play a key role in maintaining the international policies and relationships that help to ensure the security of Zimbabwe and its interests.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to dialogue with Parliament, political parties, interested groups, non-government organisations and citizens to forge a national consensus on defence matters.

The DF is subordinate and fully accountable to Parliament and the Executive.

The Defence Forces of Zimbabwe operate strictly within the parameters of the Constitution, domestic legislation and international Humanitarian law.

The DF respect national and international Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

The Government is committed to the principles of national reconciliation and national unity.

Constitutional Provisions

The Constitution outlines the principles, structures, responsibilities and relationships that are necessary to secure sound civil-military relations. Civil military relations refer to the hierarchy of authority between the Executive, Parliament and the Defence Forces. A Cardinal Principle is that the Defence forces are subordinate to civilian authority. (emphasis as appears in the original)

The military professionalism required of the regular and reserve components of the Defence Forces includes the following political, ethical and organisational features;

22.1 adherence and acceptance by military personnel of the

principle of civilian control of the Defence Forces;

22.2 the maintenance of technical, managerial and organisational skills

and resources that enable the Defence Forces to perform their

primary and secondary functions effectively and efficiently;

22.3 strict adherences to the Constitution, National Legislation,

International law and treaties;

22.4 respect for democratic political processes and human rights;

22.5 operating according to established policies, procedures and rules in

times of war and peace;

22.6 a commitment to public service, chiefly in defence of the Republic

and its citizens;

22.7 Non-partnership in relation to politics

Civil society

The Government is reluctant to employ the defence Forces in socio-economic development projects at the detriment of training for war i.e. engaging the Defence Forces in agricultural activities to produce their own food using defence equipment and resources etc.

Such employment would invite criticism that defence funds were being misdirected into the civil economy. Such employment in the majority of cases blurs the distinction between the profession of arms and civilian spheres; it in some ways contributes to the militarization of civil society and more importantly undermines the preparedness and capabilities of the Defence Forces. This should not be confused with the support which the Defence Forces render to the civil community which is covered in Chapter Nine.

Defence and the community

Under a specific section on the community, the document states:

Successful management of our defence effort requires harmonious relations with the Zimbabwean community. It requires the support and commitment of the Zimbabwean people in peace and more so in times of emergency. That support takes a number of forms. Firstly, Defence Forces personnel are recruited from the Zimbabwean community and remain part of it.

The Government therefore invests considerably in ensuring the communitys awareness and understanding of the Defence Forces through its Public Relations Department to ensure the continued availability of suitable recruits. Secondly, public understanding of and confidence in the Defence Forces in peace is also a means of ensuring the support of the community that would be essential for our defence effort in times of conflict.