The army must stop meddling in civilian affairs, political choices

The army was instrumental in effecting a change of leadership within Zanu PF and government when it engineered a military coup which dethroned Robert Mugabe and installed Emmerson Mnangagwa as president in November 2017. But people still ask questions, why did the Sadc remain quiet when dangerous statements were made by the army? Where was African Union which should be aware of the code of conduct of the security forces? The disturbing statements were tantamount to unconstitutionally taking over elected government which is what during the coup.

Those who suggest that the late Morgan Tsvangirai was robbed of his victory in 2008 after election were delayed for five weeks before it was announced that he had scored 47% compared to Mugabe’s 43% of the total vote cast, cannot be dismissed.

The involvement of the military is now as obvious as darkness after sunset. The Mnangagwa administration, in a bid to pacify the military, has gone on an overdrive to not only militarise Zanu PF, but also the national institutions. This has by and large resulted in the capture of one of the pillars of state: the judiciary. It’s not bad that our retired soldiers are absorbed in government and in other professional jobs, but it is the intentions that are spoiling the smooth running of government. As spelt out by the constitution, security forces are there to serve the nation and not an individual or political party. By supporting a political party, they have relegated themselves to willing agents to be used at every turn by politicians. They now act as an extension of the ruling party.

Indeed, the Mnangagwa administration has made use of the available arsenal to suffocate and suppress the opposition in the mould of MDCA under the leadership of Nelson Chamisa. It has never been recorded during the over three decades of Mugabe’s rule that soldiers shot at defenceless and unarmed civilians in the city of Harare. But with Mnangagwa, it happened before he could even spend 12 months in office as President. The shooting of people in August 2018 and in January 2019 are cases in point.

For whatever reasons, soldiers were wrong to use live bullets on civilians who were unarmed and the late former army general and the Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo agreed that punishment was to be meted out on all those who were found on the wrong side of the law. However, the nation still awaits recommendations of the Kgalema Motlanthe commission to be implemented. For all we know, the wait seems prolonged.

The fact of the matter is that Zimbabwe is not the only country with the army and again we are not the only nation which was under colonialism. Why is our case different in terms of how our soldiers operate? Why are they not being professional like their counterparts in the region? Why should Zimbabweans be afraid of their soldiers and police officers? Our soldiers should not be conditioned to work against any opposition political parties in Zimbabwe. This trend will not get Zimbabwe anywhere and it’s the recipe for disaster.

The people are watching and by supporting Zanu PF, the security forces have joined the gravy train. In fact, they should advise the political leaders to respect the constitution and serve the people. The security services sector is supposed to be neutral.

Are we going to witness any changes as we enter 2022? Recent reports of Chamisa being denied free passage to meet with his supporters in the countryside, if anything, could be a tip of an ice-berg of what awaits us as we edge towards 2023 elections. It’s not too late for our security officers to stand for the people and not a political party as has been advocated by their leadership of late. The military should never make political statements.

This idea that the existence of the opposition is at the behest of the western nations is a charade and it has to be treated as such.

The opposition and the west are not responsible for the massive looting that has paralysed our economy and caused untold economic, social and moral decadence. How can we not say our economy is on its knees when one needs to change his or her salary soon after earning it so as to store value? Workers are paid in our own currency but the same government charges for services in United State dollars.

If people want a change of government, which is their democratic right, let the army not intervene and tell the people what not to do. After all, sufferings cuts across the political, social and religious spectrum.

Nobody is spared; we all go to the same supermarkets, tuck shops and black market to change our currency to United States dollars.

If people now want someone and not Mnangagwa to lead them, let them not be blocked from making that choice. If they still want him to continue, let them also vote for him freely. Zimbabwe has the potential to do well, let not anyone or institution be blamed tomorrow for blocking progress and prosperity.