Mugabe's Plan B: Government deploys army to major hospitals

THE Zimbabwe government has deployed army doctors and nurses and some health experts to the country's major hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo to cover up for the crippling strike by civil servants.

The ongoing protests by civil servants and protesters have stalled activity in some parts of the country with law riot police further sparking the uprising by trying to disband angry protesters.

 But instead of addressing concerns by the public, the Zimbabwe government is using its traditionally loyal civil servants in the security as a stop gate measure.

Health and Child Care secretary Dr Gerald Gwinji yesterday revealed that  his ministry had deployed the Zimbabwe National Army to assist in hospitals.

"It has come to our attention that health workers might not report for duty in their numbers due to the call by the APEX for a stay away with effect from the 5th of July 2016 due to nonpayment of salaries," reads Dr Gwinji's letter to Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga.

"Contingency measures have been put in place to operate with limited staff. Assistance is required from the Defence Forces to augment coverage for emergency services especially in Central Hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo. The requested staff includes doctors, nurses and medical laboratory scientists."

The widespread protests have been sparked by a myriad of issues including the failure by government to pay civil servants June salaries and cash shortages in local  banks.