Army defies Biti

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has embarked on a recruitment exercise in defiance to Finance Minister Tendai Biti's recent freeze on new appointments in the public service due to a severe cash challenges.
ZNA spokesperson, Major Alphios Makotore, confirmed that the army had embarked on another recruitment exercise countrywide.
"Yes, we are recruiting. It's a national exercise," Makotore said.Last month, Biti condemned as unlawful the recruitments of soldiers and police officers in light of the government adding that the Treasury was not in a position to pay the recruits.
The ZNA and Home Affairs ministry have so far recruited 4 600 soldiers and 1 600 police officers since May this year
The ZNA recently scrapped minimum educational qualifications for aspiring soldiers to attract as many recruits as possible. There is widespread fear that the soldiers would be used to prop up Zanu PF during the coming elections expected next year.
Rodrick Fayayo, the coordinator of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) said the recruitment was not good for the struggling economy.
"It is tragic for a small country like Zimbabwe to be spending a large share of the budget on wages when the majority of citizens are toiling without food and other essential services," Fayayo said.
 "This mass recruitment exercise raises questions on whether there is a grand plan to have military officers in all the country's provinces for the upcoming election."Ends