News / National
Mugabe shocked
07 Aug 2014 at 07:29hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday expressed shock at the calibre of service personnel deployed on United Nations Peace Keeping Missions after it was revealed to him that prison officers were among those in Ebola-hit Liberia.
Mugabe told his Zanu PF party's central committee meeting in the capital that he had ordered Health minister David Parirenyatwa to set up modalities for the withdrawal of the troops on the peace keeping mission and health personnel seconded to assist in suppressing the spread of the Ebola virus that has ravaged West Africa.
"I understand we even have prison officers serving in Liberia, I wonder why we got to the extent of sending prison officers to such countries, prison officers! It is a question I have, but ndichatarisisa (I will investigate)," said Mugabe. "Tinovachengetera mabhanditi avo isu? (Do we have to guard their inmates as well?) Havagoni kuzvichengetera (Are they not able to do that themselves)? Does this arise from a desire by our departments wanting to be part of those outside missions? I didn't know this, I will have to look at it."
He said government would now move to bring the service-personnel back home.
"We need to take precautions. Let us not expose ourselves. Even when we withdraw our people, the question is, have they not been affected by the disease already?" Mugabe asked.
Although no reports have been recorded about the deadly disease in Southern Africa, Mugabe said over 900 people have died due to Ebola and he would not risk his military officials being exposed to the virus.
"Yesterday (Tuesday) we were in cabinet and I asked whether it's not necessary for us to withdraw our people from Liberia, the minister of health (Parirenyatwa) said no, let us wait a bit because we have just sent a doctor to go and help. But this morning he said he had a change of heart over the matter, perhaps we should withdraw our troops," the President said.
Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness, with a death rate of up to 90%. It affects humans as well as primates, including monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees.
According to international media reports, the disease has wrecked-havoc in war-torn Liberia, forcing authorities to quarantine relatives of those who have died from the disease in isolated wards with bodies reportedly now being left to rot on the streets.
The disease has also spread to Britain, as well as the United States.
Zimbabwean military service-personnel, police and intelligence officers are much sought after across the world's hot-spots because of their professional conduct while on United Nations duty.
Mugabe also briefed the central committee on preparations for the forthcoming Sadc summit which Zimbabwe is hosting and at which he is taking over the chairperson of the regional political and economic grouping. He said so far, 11 presidents have confirmed their attendance with three others still deciding.
Zanu PF's central committee is the highest decision-making body between congresses.
Mugabe told his Zanu PF party's central committee meeting in the capital that he had ordered Health minister David Parirenyatwa to set up modalities for the withdrawal of the troops on the peace keeping mission and health personnel seconded to assist in suppressing the spread of the Ebola virus that has ravaged West Africa.
"I understand we even have prison officers serving in Liberia, I wonder why we got to the extent of sending prison officers to such countries, prison officers! It is a question I have, but ndichatarisisa (I will investigate)," said Mugabe. "Tinovachengetera mabhanditi avo isu? (Do we have to guard their inmates as well?) Havagoni kuzvichengetera (Are they not able to do that themselves)? Does this arise from a desire by our departments wanting to be part of those outside missions? I didn't know this, I will have to look at it."
He said government would now move to bring the service-personnel back home.
"We need to take precautions. Let us not expose ourselves. Even when we withdraw our people, the question is, have they not been affected by the disease already?" Mugabe asked.
Although no reports have been recorded about the deadly disease in Southern Africa, Mugabe said over 900 people have died due to Ebola and he would not risk his military officials being exposed to the virus.
"Yesterday (Tuesday) we were in cabinet and I asked whether it's not necessary for us to withdraw our people from Liberia, the minister of health (Parirenyatwa) said no, let us wait a bit because we have just sent a doctor to go and help. But this morning he said he had a change of heart over the matter, perhaps we should withdraw our troops," the President said.
Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness, with a death rate of up to 90%. It affects humans as well as primates, including monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees.
According to international media reports, the disease has wrecked-havoc in war-torn Liberia, forcing authorities to quarantine relatives of those who have died from the disease in isolated wards with bodies reportedly now being left to rot on the streets.
The disease has also spread to Britain, as well as the United States.
Zimbabwean military service-personnel, police and intelligence officers are much sought after across the world's hot-spots because of their professional conduct while on United Nations duty.
Mugabe also briefed the central committee on preparations for the forthcoming Sadc summit which Zimbabwe is hosting and at which he is taking over the chairperson of the regional political and economic grouping. He said so far, 11 presidents have confirmed their attendance with three others still deciding.
Zanu PF's central committee is the highest decision-making body between congresses.
Source - Zim Mail
