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MDC-T is accused of doing a hatchet job for the British government by calling for security sector reform as the former colonial master has since the attainment of independence been trying to protect white interests in Zimbabwe through military action.
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is accused of trying to use Sadc to set a dangerous precedent where a contestant in an election demands that the security sector be reformed as a precondition to participate in national polls pursuant to abetting his/her cause.
Mr Tsvangirai is on record as saying harmonised elections will not be held in the absence of media and security sector reforms as he threatened journalists who do not toe his party’s line with unspecified action in the event he lands the presidency.
Zanu-PF Tsholotsho North legislator Professor Jonathan Moyo said the PM should stop talking about the security sector because it was not a political institution and was not formed for election purposes.
“The security is always there, before, during and after elections. Some candidates of political parties do some things that are a security threat and that need to be contained. It’s foolhardy for any politician to think that the security should be reformed for the purposes of elections.
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“A person does not become immune simply because he is a candidate. Security matters in all democracies in the world are not for public debate. They are confidential. Raising those sensitive matters to foreign media is provocative. He (Mr Tsvangirai) is influencing other countries to undermine the country’s security sector,” said Prof Moyo.
He said the security sector the world over was not reformed by political contenders, adding that the sector was so unique as it responded to circumstances obtaining at that particular time.
Prof said Zimbabwe’s security was the product of a protracted liberation struggle and someone opposed to that struggle would not be allowed to spearhead the sector’s reforms.
“The country’s security sector is led by the vision of Ambuya Nehanda and King Lobengula. It’s a waste of time for someone to call for sector’s reforms while in South, London or New York.
“This sector was established according to the laws governing it. Even the new constitution does not say that (reforms). It’s absurd coming from a party that does not have a manifesto. It’s a manifesto that will sell their issues to the people not the security sector reform. We had a harmonised election in June 2008 and there must be a harmonised end to that,” he said.
Another political observer and women’s right crusader Mrs Margaret Dongo, said the problem with Mr Tsvangirai was that his party was devoid of politicians but was full of clueless activists.
She said senior politicians could have told the PM that the security sector could be reformed once one he was in the Office of President.
“Does he have his own soldiers if the ones in office are removed? We came from the bush with our soldiers but we inherited the security structures that were there and we had to reform the sector when we were in. General Peter Walls was in charge and (national hero and Retired General Solomon Mujuru) saluted General Walls.
“Tsvangirai has to win the elections and then start his reforms. Look at South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Britain and America, political leaders in those countries do not demand security sector reforms as condition for getting into polls,” he said.
She said it was disheartening that Mr Tsvangirai always raised the issues of reforming the security every time he was out of Zimbabwe yet he was not using the internal structures to address his challenges.
“Did (Barack) Obama call for reforming the US army before getting into office? Every leader who gets into office has to embrace the people who are there. The security sector reform is a process and it takes time. South Africa cannot cause the security sector reforms. Its Zimbabwe that will make the changes when it is necessary. The Global Political
Agreement expires next month and he (PM) should just wait for the elections and if he happens to win, the he will reform the security,” she said.
Another analyst Dr Joseph Kurebwa, said the problem was that the word reform was very broad and the MDC-T was supposed to explain to Zimbabweans what they wanted.
“To say security sector reform is very broad. They should explain what they mean. They should talk about the colour and shape of the reforms they want. They are also talking about the media reforms, the MDC is using some of these ‘outstanding issues’ as an excuse for the country not to go to polls, they want to prepare themselves. The environment we have is adequate for free, fair and credible elections,” he said.
Zimbabwe held the referendum on March 17 that was hailed the world over as free, fair and credible and riding on that success, the country is gearing up for the watershed election this year.
Online Reporter