President Mugabe Causes Alarm By Outsourcing Election Campaign to Feared Military
Mr. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party has brought on board a number of recently retired
and serving military officers as well to take charge of its crumbling
structures, setting the stage for what sources say seems likely to be an
extremely violent campaign
Blessing Zulu 09 February 2011
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s campaign for re-election in a ballot that
has yet to be called has been outsourced to the country’s military, sources
say.
Mr. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party has brought on board a number of recently retired
and serving military officers as well to take charge of its crumbling
structures, setting the stage for what sources said seems likely to be an
extremely violent campaign.
The Joint Operations Command (JOC) is said to be playing a significant role
in this process. The JOC, comprising all the senior securocrats, was
supposed to have been disbanded to pave the way for an all inclusive
National Security Council at the inception of the government unity, is
apparently still meeting clandestinely.
The JOC has deployed Air Vice Marshal Henry Muchena to take over the
position of ZANU-PF director of the commissariat.
Muchena, who retired Friday is deputised by another JOC appointee former
Central Intelligence Organisation Director-Internal, Sydney Nyanhongo, at
the party’s Harare headquarters.
Other senior officers who retired with Muchena Friday and would join the
party ranks include Major Generals Sibangamuzi Khumalo, Etherton Shungu,
Colonel Resten Magumise and Group Captain Sithabile Sibanda.
Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa who officiated at the farewell party
openly called upon other army officials to venture into politics.
“By the way there are some ill-informed citizens of out the country who
think that ex-military service persons should not be in politics,” said
Mnangagwa.
“To the contrary, one has retired from active service, one can freely
participate in politics at whatever level.”
Party insiders and military initelligence sources told Studio 7 that about
300 serving army officials have been deployed through out the country.
They will work with some war veterans and youths who are allegedly being
trained at Inkomo army barracks and those who have passed through the
controversial national training service.
Sources said some senior army officials have also been deployed in all the
country’s provinces with Brigadier General David Sigauke taking charge of
Mashonaland West Province. Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba will be in
charge in Manicaland Province, Retired Brigadier General Victor Rungani in
Mashonaland East while Air Vice Marshal Abu Basutu will oversee ZANU-PF
matters in Matabeleland South Province.
Sources said Major General Engelbert Rugeje, who was seconded to run
Masvingo province but is now going to work with the Southern African
Development Community, will temporarily be replaced by war veterans leader
Jabulani Sibanda.
Brigadier General Sibusio Bussie Moyo, Retired Brigadiers Khumalo, and
Shungu will oversee matters in the provinces of Midlands, Matebeleland North
and Mashonaland Central respectively.
Colonel Chris Sibanda and Air Commodore Mike Tichafa Karakadzai will be in
charge of Bulawayo and Harare.
ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said Muchena has joined their ranks
officially. But political analyst Charles Mangongera said “the move by
ZANU-PF is chilling”.
Meanwhile, ZANU-PF has also launched a Party Ideological College at its
Harare Headquaters aimed at “raising political and ideological consciousness
while fostering unity within its structures and membership”.
ZANU-PF chairman Simon Khaya Moyo is qouted in the state controlled and
ZANU-PF leaning Herald newspaper as saying the college will provide lectures
such as “Characteristics of a Revolutinary Leader” among other annual
courses.