SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
The security forces in Zimbabwe are under pressure to explain why some of its members are planning to represent ZANU PF in the forthcoming elections, despite the new Constitution explicitly barring this.
In a show of open allegiance to ZANU PF, some serving members of the military, police and CIO are looking to contest in that party’s primary elections, which will determine who represents the party at the national poll.
This includes Assistant Commissioner Oliver Mandipaka and Senior Assistant Commissioner Ronald Muderedzwa, who are both reportedly planning to contest the Buhera West seat. CIO operative Francis Mukwangwariwa is reportedly targeting Manyame, while his colleague Lesley Humbe is planning to represent Masvingo South.
These plans contravene the new Constitution gazetted by party leader Robert Mugabe in May. The charter states in Section 208 that active members of the security sector cannot display any form of political bias, including representing any party or being active members of that party.
“Neither the security services nor any of their members may, in the exercise of their functions, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of a political party or cause, prejudice the lawful interests of any political party or cause,” the Constitution states.
“Members of the security services must not be active members or office-bearers of any political party, or organisation. . . Serving members of the security services must not be employed or engaged in civilian institutions except in periods of public emergency.”
The issue has already caught the eye of regional facilitator Jacob Zuma, who listed the Constitutional requirements of the security sector in a report to SADC over the weekend. He suggested that these requirements be publicly stated by Mugabe, as the President and Commander in Chief of the security forces.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the NewsDay newspaper, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said Tuesday that they would soon hold a press conference to clarify the situation.
To contact this reporter email [email protected] or follow on Twitter