Army speaks on party politics

Harare Bureau
AIR Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perence Shiri has said the military does not get involved in party politics but is there to serve the people of Zimbabwe and defend the country from aggressors.
Speaking at the National Defence College in Harare yesterday, Air Marshal Shiri said the military was not involved in any party politics, but concentrated on defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty.

“As the military, we have been schooled into understanding that the gun does not command the party, it’s the party which commands the gun,” he said.

“Whatever comes out of political deliberations by the political leadership of the country shall bind us as the military.
“We don’t interfere in the politics of Zanu-PF or any political party. We only get involved in politics when say we are facing a threat from outside the country.

“So it will be national politics against the aggressor or someone trying to recolonise Zimbabwe. We have to conscientise our people to be alert and resist that.

“We become political to that extent and when it comes to internal manoeuvrings, you leave us out. You know we are a professional military, we are not interested in party politics at all.”

In his address to students at the NDC, Air Marshal Shiri said their duty was to defend the country’s territorial integrity.
“The citizenship of Zimbabweans is only guaranteed when the people can claim total ownership of every inch of their country,” he said.

“Therefore, our obligation is to bequeath to future generations the right and means to defend this God given wealth and freedom through ensuring adequate resources, command and control structures and management processes.”

Air Marshal Shiri said the AFZ had been negatively affected by the illegal sanctions imposed on the country.
“The Western imposed sanctions have not spared the AFZ from the harsh economic environment, especially the acquisition of new equipment and back-up spares,” he said.

“The economic sanctions affected the acquisition of new aircraft, spare parts and support equipment. The financial demands for the above have become exorbitant as most purchases have to be done using sanctions busting measures the country has established so far.”

Air Marshal Shiri said the process to rename KGV1 Barracks the Josiah Tongogara Barracks would be completed soon.