ZANU PF Propaganda Enforced On The Army

Mugabe repeats his claims as infinitum, regardless of the truth or the facts.

One of his more audacious claims is that he and ZANU PF brought freedom to the country. He and his number often make claims that Zimbabwe owes its freedom to them.

In this, he is about half right. He is responsible for the situation in Zimbabwe – in its entirety. But there is no freedom for anyone in that country, except for ZANU PF and all those affiliated to that political party. His militia, war veterans, politicians, policemen and soldiers have the freedom to carry out all his dirty work – and get away with it.

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"Army officers here last week were threatened with loss of jobs if they do not back ZANU PF ideas and President Robert Mugabe during the ongoing constitution making process.

Addressing army officers at All Arms Battle School in Nyanga, Army Chief of Staff, Major General Martin Chedondo said all army officers should support and remain loyal to ZANU PF and its leadership.

Chedondo added that ZANU PF had monopoly to rule Zimbabwe because it participated in the war of liberation struggle.

Chedondo said any army officers who supported opposition parties risked dismissal from the army."

I am quite amazed that an army officer should make such a claim. The liberation war was simply that. But the fact that it was fought does not entitle ZANU PF exclusivity to rule Zimbabwe. And this was made clear when ZANU PF lost the general election in March 2008. Since that time, even though ZANU PF do not have the public mandate to rule in Zimbabwe, Mugabe and his party enforce their will upon the people.

Further to that, people who join the army do not do so with political affiliation in mind. They want to protect the country - not from fellow citizens whom a political party may deem agitating for regime change. For the political will of one party - and not even the party of choice by the population of Zimbabwe - to be force fed to the army is ridiculous.

And for them to threaten soldiers with their jobs if they don't give their entire support to Mugabe's party is not only against the basic idea of defending the country's sovereignty, but against the idea of personal choice.

"I urge you as army officers to be loyal and rally behind the country's leadership. The leadership is ZANU PF, which brought freedom to this country. All of you went to school because of ZANU PF education programmes and you should support it through and through," said Chedondo, adding, "You are all here because of ZANU PF."

Is this the 'liberation' that ZANU PF brought to Zimbabwe? A country where no one can move without the agents of Mugabe knowing it? Where no one can say anything without ZANU PF hearing of it? Where the people have been cast into abject poverty?

Is this really 'liberation'?

"Junior officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were not moved by the threats, saying they respected the inclusive government for changing their lives in the camps.

"He can continue to intimidate us but the truth of the matter is change is irresistible. The inclusive government has brought changes in our lives," said one junior army officer.

"We are sick and tired of this rhetoric, we are professionals what we need is bread and butter issues addressed not this propaganda," said another senior officer. "I hope that we will devote our discussions to the serious issues of the moment, and I wish us all that we will leave here having made significant and most important, correct decisions," he said."

This soldier got it right - we are sick of ZANU PF’s rhetoric and propaganda.

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man