adminthe inclusive Government.
The rhetoric of outstanding issues has been repeated time and again with the result that it is unwittingly believed by some who have never had sight of the GPA.
Chief among the so-called outstanding issues is what the MDC calls “security sector reform” or “realignment”. It is important right from the onset to point out that there is no provision in the Global Political Agreement relating to security sector reform or realignment.
The only provisions in the GPA that relate to security forces are in Articles XII and XXII and respectively provide as follows:
12. Freedoms of Assembly and Association
12.1 (b) that the Government shall undertake training programmes, workshops and meetings for the police and other enforcement agencies directed at the appreciation of the right of freedom of assembly and association and the proper interpretation, understanding and application of the security legislation . . .”
2.5: “The new Government shall ensure that steps are taken to make the security forces conversant with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other laws of Zimbabwe including laws relating to public order and security.”
Clearly, the above provisions do not relate to the so-called security sector reform. The provisions put an obligation on the inclusive Government to train members of the security forces so that they fully appreciate security legislation and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The inclusive Government was thus expected to properly fund the security establishment to ensure training programmes are not hampered by lack of funding. It is a well known fact that members of the security forces have always trained in security legislation and Constitutional law since the attainment of the country’s Independence.
Such training has always been on-going as evidenced by the training curricula and literature of these institutions. Any concerned citizen who has had occasion to interact with our security forces would know for sure that such training is on-going and well engrained in their curricula.
This fact is even alluded to during most graduation ceremonies of members of the security forces. However, it was only proper for the MDC formations to campaign for the removal of sanctions imposed on the country in order to enhance funding of these training programmes.
By so doing, the MDC parties would have not only shown true concern for the improvement of the quality of our men and women in uniform, but fulfilled their obligation in Article XXII para.
22.7 of the GPA which reads: “The Parties and the new Government shall seek the support and assistance of Sadc and the AU in mobilising the international community to support the new Government’s economic recovery plans and programmes together with the lifting of sanctions taken against Zimbabwe and some of its leaders.”
Wild claims by the MDC formations that Zanu-PF is unwilling to reform the security sector are therefore misdirected. Security institutions the world over have clear self-reforming systems. Regular training in all facets of security work is engrained in all activities.
It is apparent that the training on human rights and matters incidental thereto has been on-going with roots stretching as far back as the Independence era — well before the puppet MDC party’s birth in 1999.
The so-called reforms as defined by the MDC formations imply the removal of the service chiefs; particularly the former war veterans whom they view as the backbone of our Independence which is why the formations intend to defile and replace them with their Rhodesian appointees. This “type” of reform should surely not have any takers in Zanu-PF.
It would be naïve for any right-thinking, sensible, properly grounded party to seek to replace service chiefs on the basis that they have refused to abandon the values and ideals of the liberation struggle. This notion that security leaders who refuse to sell-out ought to be reformed or re-aligned is nonsensical.
Members of the security forces should not be moved by globe-trotting MDC parties seeking the intervention of Sadc or the AU on the so-called outstanding issues in the GPA.
Let it be said loud and clear that “sell-outs” do not deserve any salute from respectable members of the society. The security chiefs should not be perturbed.
The only outstanding issues in the GPA relate to the MDCs’ failure to have the sanctions they begged for removed and the continued beaming of pirate radio stations on our national airwaves.
A critical analysis of crime trends in Zimbabwe has shown that the issues of political violence have nothing to do with the security establishments.
Violence has a lot to do with political parties, particularly the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai. This is the party that needs to be reformed in all facets.
We need to come out boldly as a nation and reject the MDC-T’s shenanigans by voting them out of Government in the impending elections.
One wonders if Tsvangirai and his MDC have ever bothered to check the police force that requires to be trained in human rights issues in the Sadc.
Is it the Zimbabwe Republic Police or the South African Police Service? Ask residents of Marikana and relatives of the late Mozambican who was dragged to death by a moving vehicle. These victims of police brutality can school these puppets on which police force deserves intensive training and realignment.
Rasputin Masamba is a political writer based in Harare.
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