Online Reporter
The Herald, 24 February 1986
THE Government will not tolerate people posing as members of the Central Intelligence Organisation to commit crime, the Minister of State (Security), Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa said yesterday.
Speaking at the opening of the organisation’s provincial headquarters in Masvingo, the minister said officers in the department should exercise discipline and should be imbued with a sense of patriotism.
He said they should not be found wanting in integrity, honesty and perseverance.
“No Zimbabwean will feel confident of protected adequately by people who drink excessively, smoke dagga, steal and commit fraud and forgery, rape women and engage in all sorts of unbecoming behaviour.”
Cde Mnangagwa said; “An organisation such as ours cannot operate without discipline, but it must not be blind to discipline and democratic discipline.”
The organisation would not tolerate squabbles originating from tribal differences, and called for allegiance to the State. He warned officers against giving false Intelligence, adding that a few decisions had been made on the basis of mere rumours.
On the relationship with the law enforcement agencies, the minister said officers within the department should operate with the police, army and prisons.
“Our total duty is to the security of Zimbabwe and we need to gear our responsibilities towards that goal.”
Cde Mnangagwa said some people pretended to be members of the CIO, committing crimes such murder, but urged as officers to behave in a professional manner.
At the ceremony was the Zanu (PF) provincial chairman and Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Eddison Zvobgo, the deputy provincial chairman and Minister of Trade and Commerce, Cde Oliver Munyaradzi, the provincial governor, Senator Dzikamai Маvhaire and the local service chief.
Lessons for today
- The minister who is now the President of Zimbabwe stresses that an intelligence organisation cannot function effectively without discipline. He is a man who always wanted straight forward people in order for the nation to prosper.
- The minister emphasised that officers must be honest, trustworthy, and morally upright. Security personnel must demonstrate personal integrity to earn citizens’ confidence. Behaviours such as stealing, excessive drinking, drug use, violence, and abuse were strongly condemned.
- Some individuals were pretending to be CIO officers to commit crimes. Misuse of authority or pretending to hold official roles can endanger the public and damage institutional reputations. The minister warned against giving false or rumour-based intelligence. Accurate information is essential in decision-making, especially in security operations.
