ZDF deserves a gun-salute

politicians would not dispense with. Who does not want to say kudos to the ZDF and for what reason if not treachery? It must be noted that it was these fine men and women, together with our fallen heroes, who fought for our democracy, rule of law and human rights in Zimbabwe.

These fine men and women have continued to discharge their duties in the most tenacious, and judicious manner. These are Zimbabwean men and women who have espoused a higher degree of moral fibre. Hate them or like them, they will remain a revolutionary force. Unlike the Rhodesian Security Forces, who, during the Smith regime, were protecting an oppressive Government, the ZDF have done well in protecting our independence, democracy, and sovereignty.

Unlike the Rhodesian forces and Selous Scouts who went into Mozambique and Zambia to bomb refugees with an objective of keeping a settler regime in power, the ZDF went into Mozambique to defend our trade routes to and from the sea. In pursuance of our foreign policy and also our African culture of neighbourliness, the ZDF went into Mozambique to help a sister country to restore peace and stability and allow its economy to grow.

The forces deserve vivacious praise not only from their Commander-in-Chief, but from all Zimbabweans, politicians, youths and the public in general.
This writer is filled with the exuberance exuded by the ZDF in their revolutionary professional discharge of duties. The ZDF has displayed an intrinsic high level of discipline that has made it remain focused on core national values of defending our peace, unity and development. In most countries, it is difficult to get a fine force, that remains revolutionary and is uncorrupted by the “fat brown envelops” of the imperial world. Musekiwa and Sikhala tried to bait Air Marshal Shiri with US$10m and dismally failed.

The ZDF are rare species that can only be found in themselves and Zimbabwe. This writer notes with great satisfaction, the non-compromising stance with which the ZDF defends our sovereignty. The British and American armies went to Iraq and Libya in pursuit of economic gains of oil and to effect regime change. These imperial forces cannot be matched with the display of revolutionary professionalism displayed by the ZDF. It is heartening to note that the ZDF went into the DRC for a just cause codenamed “operations save legitimacy”. The West had muted a grand strategy of regime change in the DRC in search of the vast minerals the Congo has. To camouflage their intentions, they sadly, used Rwanda and Uganda to carry out the mission.

Both Britain and America lauded the invading forces for their courage of invading the DRC to oust an alleged dictator in the name of President Kabila. Surprisingly, Mobutu, a proxy for the Americans, a worst leader in Africa, was allowed to ruin the DRC for more than 30 years. Food for thought.
The President made it clear that the ZDF fought for the democracy of this country, which we are enjoying and it is their product. It is thus naive for anyone to think that the ZDF can let go a product that they got after long years of fighting and bloodshed. The fact of the matter is, the opposition politics has ceased to be of opposing policies but have rather become violent deposing politics. When people hear the PM talking about using violence as a concept of getting into power, it then smells or stinks blood. In comparing the British/American armies’ professionalism and that of the ZDF one sees two contrasting concepts.

However, Iraq is in worse situation than it was before the merchants of professionalism destroyed its security systems. Yes, Iraq had some security problems before the invasion but these have worsened to the extent that no Iraq national is certain of living a predictable non-violent life.
The violence continues to escalate day in day out regardless of the presence of the British/American forces. Therefore they have failed to restore peace and stability they went in to enforce. On the contrary, the revolutionary professional ZDF went into Mozambique to help restore peace and stability and achieved that. Presently, the situation in Mozambique is more peaceful than in Britain.

Zimbabwe’s trade routes both road and rail that had been shut by Renamo are operational day and night. People in Mozambique continue to enjoy, on a daily basis, their socio economic life. This is as a result of the revolutionary professionalism of the ZDF. Again Kudos to ZDF!

They went in to restore peace and indeed the Mozambicans are enjoying quality peace. The question to ask is which countries require security sector reform? It is those countries that have defence forces not capable of restoring peace that needs a SSR. A word of advice to Zimbabwean youths: You need to borrow a leaf from the high-class discipline that was exhibited by the ZDF in Mozambique, DRC, etc. You need not be swayed by the MDC-T into believing that violence is a concept of governance. No country in the world will fold hands and allow cacophonic activities to destroy human lives and property.

Even in the UK, which people view as the epicentre of democracy, violence was treated with the force that it deserves. Ask David Cameron, he will tell you not to bring such nonsense in the streets of London as he deployed a 16 000 strong police force. Politicians both from Zanu-PF and MDC formations have a moral duty to praise our gallant forces. Politicians from all walks of life should be thankful to the ZDF for keeping the peace in our country and within the region.

This writer encourages every Zimbabwean to shower praise to our revolutionary soldiers whom we encourage to continue safe guarding our sovereignty, independence and national values.
It is surprising that the MDC-T wants these fine men and women to re-declare their loyalty to their own product. They fought for democracy, it is their product. It is naive or hypocritical to ask them to redefine themselves in the name of democracy, rule of law and human rights. The question to ask is what is it that motivates the MDC-T to demand a declaration of loyalty to Zimbabwe and the constitution by the ZDF? Whose democracy, rule of law and human rights?

Is it not the MDC-T themselves who should re-declare their loyalty and patriotism to Zimbabwe. Why do I ask this question? It is because they discuss national security issues on Studio 7. They rubbish Zimbabwe in foreign lands. They called for sanctions and are refusing to vigorously campaign for their lifting. It is the MDC-T, which must re-declare its loyalty to Zimbabwe and the constitution for it is practising deposition politics rather than opposing politics. In vivaciously praising the ZDF, that vivacious praise must also go to their sister institutions, the ZRP and the CIO for maintaining law and order in our beloved country “Great Zimbabwe”.