Mnangagwa should be held to account for defending 'rogue' generals

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T party is gunning for Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa for presiding over a military top command accused of seeking to influence political process and subverting democracy.

Reacting angrily to Mnangagwa's statements in Parliament defending "rogue" military generals, MDC-T secretary for security and defence Giles Mutsekwa sensationally claimed that some top army officials had approached his party distancing themselves from Mnangagwa and other generals that are publicly voicing support for President Robert Mugabe.

"There are professional senior members of the army who are refusing to comply with Mnangagwa's lies because they want to be professional and stick to what the constitution dictates," said Mutsekwa, himself a former soldier.

"I cannot name them because I have to protect them but we have had senior people in the army coming to us and assuring us that they will respect the will of the people if we win the election," said Mutsekwa.

Top generals such as Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba have inflamed debate on security sector reforms after indicating that they will not allow Tsvangirai to rule even if he won elections.

Nyikayaramba stands out because he went further to describe the Prime Minister as a "national security threat", adding that the army will do"anything" to keep Mugabe (87) in power.

Nyikayaramba, who heads Mutare's 3 Brigade Infantry Battalion and has previously been named in election-related atrocities, went further to echo Mugabe's demand for elections this year in defiance of Sadc leaders and other coalition government partners who argue conditions are too treacherous to hold a credible election.

Mutsekwa said his party would push for Mnangagwa to be held to accountable for defending such "treasonous" statements.

"My understanding of the constitution is that uniformed forces are subservient to civilian authority, which refers to the legislature, judiciary and executive," he said.

Mutsekwa claimed that three quarters of the military was composed of "educated people" who were not interested in partisan politics being driven by their commanders.

"I advise Mnangagwa that it is his duty to acquaint himself with best practices of the military the world over. We have no intention as the MDC-T and as a future government to wage war with our security forces. If anything, we want to improve their welfare and will equip them so they enjoy their profession," said Mutsekwa.

Mutsekwa's statements bring back to the fore issues of how the military, generally seen as partisan, has contributed to instability in the country since the time tens of thousands of people in Matabeleland and Midlands were brutally murdered in the 1980s after being deployed by the Zanu-PF regime.

Parliament is currently debating the matter, which analysts say has poisoned chances of a smooth election and transfer of power if Tsvangirai or anybody else wins the next elections.

But Mugabe has vigorously defended the army generals, who are seen as the real power behind his rule as the former guerilla leader and his party continue losing public support as evidenced by successive election defeats.

Two weeks ago, he warned Parliament against debating the issue of military generals' growing appetite for political influence.

"As Commander-in-Chief of the security forces, I want to make it very clear that no one should meddle with the command. Parliament cannot be Commander-in-Chief of the security forces. It has no business debating the conduct of individuals in command, let them raise that with me in appropriate forums," Mugabe said in an ill-heeded warning.

MPs ignored the warning and proceeded to debate the matter, with some calling for the arrest of generals who issued inflammatory statements.

Magwegwe MDC-T MP Felix Sibanda told the House of Assembly in his submission that top military officials who had issued political statements in the country should be arrested by military police and arraigned before a military court.

"If they fail to resign, military police should be activated to arrest all unprofessional commanders so that they are heard before a court marshal. The other advice is individually those who have breached the constitution of Zimbabwe should apologise and re-affirm their loyalty to Zimbabwe through Parliament. Parliament represents the people," he said to cheers from MDC-T colleagues and jeers from Zanu-PF MPs.

Nyikayaramba's statements follow a pattern set by his superiors as early as 2002.

Other serving service chiefs such as the late General Vitalis Zvinavashe, current ZDF commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, prison chiefs Paradzai Zimondi and police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri have in the past openly said they will not recognise any president elected by the people of Zimbabwe who did not participate in the war of liberation for the independence of the country.