Source: Zimbabwe military should abandon Mnangagwa-Chiwenga junta, and stand with people – The Zimbabwean August 15, 2018
From the era of ousted long-time dictator Robert Mugabe to the current coup-installed junta of Emmerson Mnangagwa, the military has, unfortunately been used and abused in the perpetuation of this ZANU PF regime’s grip on power through brute force and atrocities against innocent people.
That is why, after 37 years of the people of Zimbabwe’s untold suffering, and failure to remove Mugabe through democratic means, the only others who were able to swifly and easily remove him were the military, in November last year’s coup.
Why would the people fail so dismally to remove Mugabe for 37 years, yet the military could achieve this in less that a week?
The answer is quite simply, and telling of the political situation in Zimbabwe: that these dictators owe their continued hold on power, not to democratic processes, but as a result of the abuse of military prowess on an innocent population.
Without the military’s support, these dictators are nothing, and the voice of the people could finally be heard.
The only entity in Zimbabwe that is standing in the way of progress, stability and prosperity is the military standing by those in power, as if those expressing dissenting voices are security threats and an enemy to the nation.
Zimbabweans love their country, and only have different views as to the most effective way to prosperity – yet, the military is indoctrinated to believe that those rejecting ZANU PF’s way are enemies worthy of being silenced – permanently.
The military should know that differences in opinions is not a cause for insecurity in the country, as we are all mature enough to respect each others’ varied views, and live together in peace and harmony.
Just a look at the past 8 months, whereby Zimbabweans went about their political business peacefully, shows that we are mature enough to do this, but the problem only re-emerged with the military’s shooting down of at least six unarmed protestors in Harare on 1 August.
As much as these protestors were violent, and destroyed some property, nonetheless, there was absolutely no justification for the military to use live bullets and kill those people.
From the live visuals on television that the world witnesed during those protests, the police had everything under control, as they managed to disperse these protestors through the use of tear-gas and water canons.
So what was the role of the military?
Just to dole out vindictiveness and brutality, so as to instill fear in the people – not to maintain peace, but to stifle any dissention, as the electoral commission was about to announce possibly fixed presidential results.
We are all suffering as Zimbabweans, including those in the military, and so we should stand together.
As the military witnessed during last year’s coup, the people’s voice should be allowed to be heard peacefully, when they no longer want a leader.
The demonstrations against Mugabe, which the military supported, led to the easy and swift removal of a dictator, and ushered in a moment of peace and development
This would have led to long-term peace, unity and development.
Our country would be guaranteed of perpetual and sustained progress and harmony.
The military should now refuse to be used and abused by those in power, whose only concern is for their own hold on power and corruption, whist the rest of us suffer.
We plead with those ordinary suffering members of the military to refuse the orders of these selfish leaders, as Mnangagwa and his vice and former defebece forces commander General Constatino Chiwenga.
Even the current defence forces commander General Phillip Sibanda seems like a relatively reasonable person, and should tell Chiwenga that he is no longer the commander, and should, therefore, keep out of the affairs of the military.
The military should tell Chiwenga that, since they had a taste of peace, development and harmony after the removal of Mugabe, but, although they would never carry out another coup, they will also never be abused again to keep a tyrant in power.
The defence forces are the people’s protector, not the people’s tormentor – and therefore, should stand with the people.<
The only hope for a prosperous Zimbabwe now lies with the military to resist any further abuse in the propping up of tyrants in oppressing the will of the people – no matter which party they vote for.
COMMENTS
I run the risk of being branded a pessimist here. If truth be told we shall have this problem for a long time simply because the type of people we place in the army, just like the politicians we put in government, are usually the wrong ones. You simply don’t find enough intelligent and enlightened people in the army. Period. These people obey orders and act without conscience. As for defending the people, let’s not delude ourselves. Which African army has ever defended people? Which one can withstand a foreign invasion? Most of our armies are “napoleon’s dogs” whose duty is to protect the “leader” against the citizens.
PROBLEM IS THE TYPE OF MANAGEMENT BROTHER WHICH IS APPLIED INTERNATIONAL ON THE SECURITY SECTORS i e command type.UNDER THIS TYPE OF MANAGEMENT,THE COMMANDER DICTATES A COMMANDMENT AND IT HAS TO BE FOLLOWED.THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SECURITY SECTOR MUST FIRST BECOME PEOPLE ORIENTED.THE ARMY FOLLOWS A COMMAND.IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG IT IS THE COMMANDERS TO BLAME.
THEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH HUMAN NATURE IT IS CONCOMITANT CONUNDRUM OF MAN’S BEING MY BROTHER.
General Sibanda is well versed with UN peace keeping duties so has the experience and backing to do just that. Time to retire a few senior officers
Wild dreams. Most of these military guys don’t join the army because they’re the brightest and most talented for the job. They do so because it’s the only job available to them, having failed to make the grade in civil life. They can’t therefore take to critical decision making.
Yes, they get valuable on job life skills training, but only enough to survive in life threatening situations. After such training, some are tempted to think that they now know enough to run a whole country. Disaster!
See how they invested in a military university instead of a leadership university? They base everything on possible security threats, not on possible national economic advancement. So, it will be a fair assessment to conclude that as long as those clutching the gun remain happy and safe, the civilian face in statehouse is assured of a long life in power, regardless of the state of the general population. The military is the power. They and only they can dictate who goes to or remain in statehouse. Mugabe thought He could outmanoeuvre them, but he forgot that guns to them is like a video game session.
It would be a great achievement for Zimbabwe if the military frees the country from ruthless rulers. The army has been used by the greedy, selfish commanders under Mugabe rile to torment the people of Zimbabwe. The army should now say, enough is enough. It would be very difficult for the masses of Zimbabwe to free the country using stones. The military should refuse the rulers who have destroyed the country for many years, making life difficult even for the soldiers themselves. The military, please go to the side of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you.