admin“While I agree that there is need for some electoral reforms for the country to hold peaceful and fair elections, I beg to differ with those calling for reforms in our security sector. We have a very professional security sector that is an envy of many in Africa and beyond,” said Dr Zhou.
He said there was no basis for calling for the security sector reforms, adding that the security forces had excelled during peace-keeping missions.
“Our officers from the army, police and prisons, have been called to do duty under the United Nations banner and excelled. We can call for their dedication to duty not reforms because the claims that they are bad can be dismissed as mere speculation without strong grounds,” he said.
He said the union would rather call for a revisit to the electoral reforms so that elections could be held under a free and fair environment.
“As PTUZ, we would rather advocate for electoral reforms and not security sector reforms. I am one of those people who believe that there is need for the country to create a conducive environment for the holding of elections. We are a peace-loving nation opposed to anything that is against people’s liberties. It is against this background that there should be some provisions that give the electorate confidence and freedom to choose candidates of their choice,” he said.
MDC formations and some civic society organisations are on record calling for implementation of security sector reforms before the general elections expected to be held anytime this year.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter