Children get military training

Disguised as cadetship training the programme has seen all the 13 ZNA run primary and secondary schools offering training in loyalty, patriotism, physical training and discipline in order to make them responsible citizens. The Border Gezi National Youth Service which used to train Zanu (PF) militia to intimidate voters has been closed after the bankrupt government failed to sustain the operation.

Children of senior Zanu (PF) officials, including, Bona, daughter of President Robert Mugabe attend scohhols and universities in Asia, North America, Western Europe, Australia and South Africa. The offspring of ordinary people attended brainwashing sessions at Border Gezi Training Camps in the past. The latest propaganda sessions being conducted in army schools target children of junior and poor soldiers who are unable to send their children abroad.

Army commander, Lieutenant-General Phillip Sibanda made the announcement last week in Kwekwe, giving the impression that the exercise was innocent. The cadetship programme that has been recently been introduced in ZNA (Zimbabwe National Army) schools is an initiation of the children into the realm of loyalty, patriotism, discipline, responsible citizenry and selfless service to others, Lt-Gen Sibanda said.

However, informed sources in the military revealed to The Zimbabwean on Sunday that there appears to be something sinister about the whole exercise because some schools neighbouring the military schools were being forced to participate in the project. The Border Gezi National Youth Service has collapsed because of lack of funding and the children will be deployed on attachment to rural areas. Many things are just not adding up because everything is so hazy, said a senior officer in the ZNA.

The children will also study civil-military relations which may be an exercise in intimidating the adult population in rural and urban areas, the sources said. In his address, Lt-Gen Sibanda said the military training would make the children become self reliant them courage to be proud to be Zimbabweans.

It is a comprehensive package which weans our children from the dependency syndrome and gives them courage to stand on their feet and to be proud of who they are, Sibanda said. He said the programme was identical to the Boy Scouts movement and was intended to reorient children to their roots, and give them an appreciation of their inalienable right to their national heritage and self-determination.? Through the programme, children develop confidence and pride in themselves and courage to speak well of their country.