News / National
Zimbabwe army commanders in trouble, could be court martialled
18 Sep 2011 at 07:50hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces is investigating the 2 senior army commanders who strongly criticised their boss General Constantine Chiwenga, describing him as a "political general" with "little practical military experience or expertise".
The remarks were made at secret meetings with top US diplomats whom President Mugabe considers enemies of the state.
Disclosures of military manoeuvres to probe Major-General Fidelis Satuku and Brigadier-General Herbert Chingono for clandestinely sniping at their chief and possibly court-martial them afterwards on treason charges could trigger an avalanche of punitive measures against senior Zanu PF officials who also met US envoys to discuss President Mugabe's succession and future.
This comes as latest information shows senior Joint Operations Command members are angry and pressing President Mugabe to act against top Zanu PF and government officials, as well as military commanders implicated in clandestine meetings with US diplomats to discuss sensitive political and security issues.
JOC brings together the army, police and intelligence chiefs. Army spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwizi confirmed this week the 2 army commanders, still reporting for duty, were under investigation.
After the investigations, if the two generals are found to have any case to answer, they could be court-martialled and could face imprisonment if convicted, or even a death sentence, although that is unlikely.
The remarks were made at secret meetings with top US diplomats whom President Mugabe considers enemies of the state.
Disclosures of military manoeuvres to probe Major-General Fidelis Satuku and Brigadier-General Herbert Chingono for clandestinely sniping at their chief and possibly court-martial them afterwards on treason charges could trigger an avalanche of punitive measures against senior Zanu PF officials who also met US envoys to discuss President Mugabe's succession and future.
This comes as latest information shows senior Joint Operations Command members are angry and pressing President Mugabe to act against top Zanu PF and government officials, as well as military commanders implicated in clandestine meetings with US diplomats to discuss sensitive political and security issues.
JOC brings together the army, police and intelligence chiefs. Army spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwizi confirmed this week the 2 army commanders, still reporting for duty, were under investigation.
After the investigations, if the two generals are found to have any case to answer, they could be court-martialled and could face imprisonment if convicted, or even a death sentence, although that is unlikely.
Source - Independent
