WATCH REWIND: Generals express support for Mugabe

Zimbabwe's military and security chiefs announced on Wednesday they would not accept an opposition victory in presidential elections set for March 9-10.

Zimbabwe defence forces commander General Vitalis Zvinavashe said security forces expected the country's leader to observe the objectives of the liberation struggle.

They would not support anyone with a different agenda, he said.

The news was a blow for Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, who is expected to pose the biggest challenge at the March elections to President Robert Mugabe's two decades in power.

Mugabe has said that Tsvangirai did not fight in the liberation wars and has branded him a traitor.


General Vitalis Zvinavashe, Zimbabwe defence forces commander: "We wish to make it very clear, very clear, to all Zimbawean citizens that the security organisation will only state its support for those political leaders that will pursue Zimbabwe's value, tradition, belief for which thousands of lives were lost in pursuit of Zimbabwe's hard-won independence, sovereignty, integrity and the national interest. To this end let it be know that the highest office of the land is a straight-jacket whose occupant is expected to observe the objectives of the liberation struggle. We will therefore not accept, let alone support or salute, anyone with a different agenda that threatens the very existence of our sovereignty, our country and our people."

"Any report and action designed to create instability in Zimbabwe will be met by the full force of law."