News / National
Dabengwa says soldiers must not be partisan
15 Jul 2013 at 06:12hrs | Views
Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa yesterday said there was a danger that soldiers might end up forming a parallel government if they are allowed to continue dabbling in politics.
Addressing about 400 people at a rally at Rutendo hall in Mufakose, Harare, during the launch of Zapu's manifesto in the northern region, Dabengwa, who is a presidential candidate in the forthcoming polls, said reports that soldiers have been deployed in some areas were worrying.
Dabengwa said the failure to implement security sector and media reforms as well as removal of laws like the Public Order and Security Act that was being used to block some rallies meant the elections would not be "free and fair", but his party would soldier on despite the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Dabengwa on Friday disclosed that he deliberately supported former Finance minister Simba Makoni's candidature to block an imminent victory by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the 2008 presidential race.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said they knew of the plot all along.
Dabengwa made the remarks while addressing an MDC campaign rally in Chikomba, Mashonaland East province, as Tsvangirai, who has taken his campaign trail to President Mugabe's backyard - Mashonaland West - vowed to challenge the number of people registered to vote under the special voting system next week, saying he suspects the figures were inflated.
Dabengwa said when he joined hands with Makoni, who had just broken ranks with Zanu PF, it was clear Tsvangirai was bound to win.
Addressing about 400 people at a rally at Rutendo hall in Mufakose, Harare, during the launch of Zapu's manifesto in the northern region, Dabengwa, who is a presidential candidate in the forthcoming polls, said reports that soldiers have been deployed in some areas were worrying.
Dabengwa said the failure to implement security sector and media reforms as well as removal of laws like the Public Order and Security Act that was being used to block some rallies meant the elections would not be "free and fair", but his party would soldier on despite the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Dabengwa on Friday disclosed that he deliberately supported former Finance minister Simba Makoni's candidature to block an imminent victory by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the 2008 presidential race.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said they knew of the plot all along.
Dabengwa made the remarks while addressing an MDC campaign rally in Chikomba, Mashonaland East province, as Tsvangirai, who has taken his campaign trail to President Mugabe's backyard - Mashonaland West - vowed to challenge the number of people registered to vote under the special voting system next week, saying he suspects the figures were inflated.
Dabengwa said when he joined hands with Makoni, who had just broken ranks with Zanu PF, it was clear Tsvangirai was bound to win.
Source - newsday
