'MDC-T is craving for the attention of the commander which they will not gest' - Zanu-PF

The state media on Sunday reported that the country's security commanders have dismissed claims that they have engaged Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to secure their positions after the forthcoming harmonised elections, saying the reports were part of MDC-T attempts to rope them into its security sector "reform" agenda.

It emerged yesterday that the commanders were furious over the claims which they dismissed as blatant lies. They maintained that they did not at any point meet Mr Tsvangirai's purported emissary, Mr Giles Mutsekwa, to discuss sensitive security and post-election matters.

In an interview last night, Presidential spokesman George Charamba said Mr Mutsekwa's claims that he met army generals were a "major lie".

"It's a major lie coming from a Rhodesian Major.

"The MDC-T is craving for the attention of the commanders which they will not get," he said.

"More importantly, they think that through editorials they will be able to put the issue of security sector reforms on the agenda. That tool is abortive and the real issue that the MDC-T has to confront is its declining support base as well as the fact that its traditional funders have now given it their back."

Last Friday, a local weekly reported that Mr Tsvangirai had begun formal post-election discussions with security commanders through Mr Mutsekwa, who is MDC-T defence and security secretary and a former Major in the Rhodesian Defence Forces.

The newspaper claimed Mr Mutsekwa met Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga; Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri; Zimbabwe National Army Chief of Staff (general staff) Major-General Martin Chedondo and Chief of Staff and Quartermaster Major-General Douglas Nyikayaramba.

It also reported that another meeting with ZNA Chief of Staff (administration) Major-General Trust Muguba was in the pipeline. However, Charamba said "it is foolhardy to imagine that a former Major could engage in security talks with Generals given the hierarchical structure of the defence forces".  He added that it was ironic that the MDC-T, which has been calling for security sector "reforms", is now seeking to politicise the military through nefarious means.

"Look who is politicising the military now. The MDC-T is playing politics with the military yet it is asking for the depoliticisation of the same establishment. "This is how confused the MDC-T has become. There is absolutely no coherence to their policies." He implored defence attaches of Sadc countries to advise their respective governments of the MDC-T plot especially after Mr Tsvangirai announced last week that he would launch a diplomatic offensive to ensure the implementation of "reforms" before the elections.

Charamba, who is also Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity, warned media houses against misleading readers by publishing speculative information regarding sensitive establishments.

"Government will not hesitate to enforce laws to protect security structures from plots that seek to undermine the country's formidability.

"Media organisations are advised to refrain from speculative pieces that relate to the defence and security establishments. There are laws that protect the security structures of this country and of given cause.

"Government will not hesitate to invoke these. One hopes that the well-trained journalists will know that a mere Major from a defeated occupying force cannot engage Generals who fought for the Independence of this country. It's simply waving a red flag to a bull." For some time now, the MDC-T has been campaigning for the restructuring of the security sector. However, Zanu PF has refused to entertain the proposal, arguing that Zimbabwe's defence systems are among the best on the continent.

Last week, a MDC- T strategy paper leaked to the Press revealed that the party plans to expel all senior security personnel who fought in the liberation struggle under Zanla and Zipra and replace them with Western operatives in the event of winning the impending elections.

The paper also shows the party would reduce the number of serving soldiers.

In 2011, whistleblower website WikiLeaks revealed that MDC-T deputy treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma attempted to source funds from the United States government and the United Kingdom to bribe service chiefs because they were "a major obstacle to political progress and reform".