MDC-T slams the army's meddling in politics

The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai said it condemns the careless and treasonous utterances made by Major General Martin Chedondo urging members of the defence forces to take part in politics and support Zanu-PF, contrary to the laws of Zimbabwe.

Chedondo made the remarks in Mutoko on Tuesday addressing 3 000 troops from 2 Brigade who are on a training exercise.

MDC-T says Chedondo's utterances are against the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed by Morgan Tsvangirai, Robert Mugabe and Arthur Mutambara in 2008.

MDC-T alleges that soldiers and other security agents are supposed to be apolitical and their duty is to protect the people of Zimbabwe and the country.

They must be viewed by the people as partners in development in any democratic nation.

"As a Party, we have always made our position clear that there is need of security sector realignment before the next elections. The country needs a professional security team that is able to guarantee the secrecy of the vote as well as the security of the vote and the voter in the next election."

"The people of Zimbabwe need to go into the next election without fear of reprisal from the State security agents as was witnessed in 2008. During that period over 500 MDC supporters were killed while thousands others were maimed; assaulted and displaced by Zanu-PF rogues," said MDC-T in a statement.

Chedondo joins other senior security officials in supporting Zanu-PF when they are not supposed to be partisan.

Former Brigadier General, Douglas Nyikayaramba once declared that Mugabe must rule Zimbabwe forever. The statement, which was an apparent bootlicking gesture, earned him promotion to Major General ahead of the next elections.

The MDC-T said it calls on all peace-loving people of Zimbabwe not to be intimidated by utterances made by Chedondo and to remain focussed until the fight for real change and democracy in Zimbabwe has been won.