News / National
Zanu-PF continues with its stranglehold on the military
07 Apr 2013 at 02:55hrs | Views
HOPES of instituting security sector reforms before the forthcoming elections are fast evaporating as Zanu-PF continues with its stranglehold on the military, analysts have warned.
The Global Political Agreement (GPA) was expected to address the issue of security forces dabbling in politics, but this has not happened over four years after the formation of the inclusive government.
The security forces are often accused of harassing and torturing perceived Zanu-PF opponents.
Securocrats are also on record that they will not salute anyone without liberation credentials, particularly Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, even if he won Presidential elections.
In 2008, the MDC-T accused the military of spearheading a bloody campaign for the re-election of President Robert Mugabe.
The then opposition party claimed over 200 of its supporters died at the hands of the military and militias linked to Zanu-PF prompting increased calls for security sector reforms.
According to experts, security sector reforms are aimed at providing effective state and human security through democratic governance, respect for the rule of law and human rights.
But Zanu-PF continues to insist that the issue of security sector reform was out of question.
Last week Defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa said political parties pushing for such reforms wanted to weaken the security services in order to effect an "illegal regime change."
Mugabe has also repeatedly defended the military.
The MDC-T said the recent clampdown by the police on human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and some of its members is an indication that the security sector in Zimbabwe is operating in a partisan manner in total disregard of the GPA principles.
Political analyst, Jabusile Shumba said it was no longer possible to institute security sector reforms before the elections expected in June or July as more time was needed to implement them.
He said what was now only conceivable is to force security forces to act in accordance with the laws such as prohibiting them from active participation in politics.
"They can exercise their democratic right to vote but are not permitted to actively support any political party," said Shumba. "However, notwithstanding the legal and constitutional provisions for civilian control, Zimbabwe's senior military officers are on record for their active support of Zanu-PF and terrorising political opponents to sustain the party's claims to power and protect their ill-gotten wealth."
Shumba said Mugabe, as Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander-in-Chief, wielded effective control over the military.
"Arguments that border on that the military is 'untouchable' are nonsense and cannot be tolerated in a democracy," he said.
Political Scientist, Shakespeare Hamauswa said reforms being called for would only be possible if another party other than Zanu-PF assumed power.
He said as far as Zanu-PF was concerned, security sector reform has been going on since 1980, hence the current calls were misplaced.
"It is difficult to cut the umbilical code between Zanu-PF and the security sector," said Hamauswa. "A reform marked by the removal and replacement of JOC (Joint Implementation Committee) is not possible. But from a gradualist point of view security sector reform is going on albeit slowly."
However, Hamauswa said the fact that under the draft constitution, Parliament will extend its oversight role to the security sectir was a foundation for the reform.
He said if the new constitution was going to be adhered to, the security sector would eventually be reformed.
Hamauswa said the MDCs should in the meantime show their capacity to negotiate for more reforms while at the same time extent an olive branch to the military.
"They do not need to threaten those who are in the security sector as it seems that they are the gate keepers of the corridors of power," he said.
A University of Zimbabwe Centre for Defence Studies lecturer said the issue of security sector reforms was about power politics.
He said Zanu-PF, which was the powerful side of the GNU, was not interested in reforms, taking advantage of Sadc's "quiet diplomacy."
Another political analyst, Clever Bere was also sceptical that there would be security sector reforms in the near future.
He said given the history of the inclusive government and in particular the implementation of the reform agenda, there was a high unlikelihood that such reforms would take place.
"Zanu-PF and Mugabe's power is deeply rooted in the military and security apparatus," he said. "I do not see them giving in to demands for these reforms. If we have failed to realise such reforms in the four years, it will be folly for one to believe we will have them in the remaining three or so months of the life of the inclusive government."
He said Zanu-PF would not negotiate its way out of power, by agreeing to more democratic reforms in the country.
"Ceding to security sector reforms will in a big way weaken the party's hold on power," said Bere.
University of Zimbabwe constitutional law expert, Professor Greg Lennington said the purpose of the army was purely for the defence of the country.
He said if implemented, the draft constitution would make the security sector more human rights sensitive.
Constitutional Select Committee (Copac) co-chairperson, Douglas Mwonzora said the issue on national security services was adequately dealt with in the draft charter which was recently approved in a referendum.
He said under Chapter 11, all national security services including the army, police and intelligence were no longer allowed to be partisan, campaign or de-campaign any other political party.
Mwonzora who is also the MDC-T spokesperson said under the new constitution members of the security forces would be obliged to obey and respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people.
"If the new Constitution comes into force and such provisions are enforced, then the MDC will be happy," he said.
Mwonzora said under the new constitution which will be debated in Parliament next month, serving security officers actively campaigning for seats in the next elections should resign from the force.
The Global Political Agreement (GPA) was expected to address the issue of security forces dabbling in politics, but this has not happened over four years after the formation of the inclusive government.
The security forces are often accused of harassing and torturing perceived Zanu-PF opponents.
Securocrats are also on record that they will not salute anyone without liberation credentials, particularly Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, even if he won Presidential elections.
In 2008, the MDC-T accused the military of spearheading a bloody campaign for the re-election of President Robert Mugabe.
The then opposition party claimed over 200 of its supporters died at the hands of the military and militias linked to Zanu-PF prompting increased calls for security sector reforms.
According to experts, security sector reforms are aimed at providing effective state and human security through democratic governance, respect for the rule of law and human rights.
But Zanu-PF continues to insist that the issue of security sector reform was out of question.
Last week Defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa said political parties pushing for such reforms wanted to weaken the security services in order to effect an "illegal regime change."
Mugabe has also repeatedly defended the military.
The MDC-T said the recent clampdown by the police on human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and some of its members is an indication that the security sector in Zimbabwe is operating in a partisan manner in total disregard of the GPA principles.
Political analyst, Jabusile Shumba said it was no longer possible to institute security sector reforms before the elections expected in June or July as more time was needed to implement them.
He said what was now only conceivable is to force security forces to act in accordance with the laws such as prohibiting them from active participation in politics.
"They can exercise their democratic right to vote but are not permitted to actively support any political party," said Shumba. "However, notwithstanding the legal and constitutional provisions for civilian control, Zimbabwe's senior military officers are on record for their active support of Zanu-PF and terrorising political opponents to sustain the party's claims to power and protect their ill-gotten wealth."
Shumba said Mugabe, as Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander-in-Chief, wielded effective control over the military.
"Arguments that border on that the military is 'untouchable' are nonsense and cannot be tolerated in a democracy," he said.
Political Scientist, Shakespeare Hamauswa said reforms being called for would only be possible if another party other than Zanu-PF assumed power.
He said as far as Zanu-PF was concerned, security sector reform has been going on since 1980, hence the current calls were misplaced.
However, Hamauswa said the fact that under the draft constitution, Parliament will extend its oversight role to the security sectir was a foundation for the reform.
He said if the new constitution was going to be adhered to, the security sector would eventually be reformed.
Hamauswa said the MDCs should in the meantime show their capacity to negotiate for more reforms while at the same time extent an olive branch to the military.
"They do not need to threaten those who are in the security sector as it seems that they are the gate keepers of the corridors of power," he said.
A University of Zimbabwe Centre for Defence Studies lecturer said the issue of security sector reforms was about power politics.
He said Zanu-PF, which was the powerful side of the GNU, was not interested in reforms, taking advantage of Sadc's "quiet diplomacy."
Another political analyst, Clever Bere was also sceptical that there would be security sector reforms in the near future.
He said given the history of the inclusive government and in particular the implementation of the reform agenda, there was a high unlikelihood that such reforms would take place.
"Zanu-PF and Mugabe's power is deeply rooted in the military and security apparatus," he said. "I do not see them giving in to demands for these reforms. If we have failed to realise such reforms in the four years, it will be folly for one to believe we will have them in the remaining three or so months of the life of the inclusive government."
He said Zanu-PF would not negotiate its way out of power, by agreeing to more democratic reforms in the country.
"Ceding to security sector reforms will in a big way weaken the party's hold on power," said Bere.
University of Zimbabwe constitutional law expert, Professor Greg Lennington said the purpose of the army was purely for the defence of the country.
He said if implemented, the draft constitution would make the security sector more human rights sensitive.
Constitutional Select Committee (Copac) co-chairperson, Douglas Mwonzora said the issue on national security services was adequately dealt with in the draft charter which was recently approved in a referendum.
He said under Chapter 11, all national security services including the army, police and intelligence were no longer allowed to be partisan, campaign or de-campaign any other political party.
Mwonzora who is also the MDC-T spokesperson said under the new constitution members of the security forces would be obliged to obey and respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people.
"If the new Constitution comes into force and such provisions are enforced, then the MDC will be happy," he said.
Mwonzora said under the new constitution which will be debated in Parliament next month, serving security officers actively campaigning for seats in the next elections should resign from the force.
Source - thestandard
