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MDC MP seeks explanation why service chiefs don't salute for Tsvangirai

MDC MP seeks explanation why service chiefs don't salute for Tsvangirai
Written by Kingsley Kaswende in Harare, Zimbabwe
Tuesday May 05, 2009 4:50:43 PM

AN MDC legislator has vowed to seek an explanation from defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa when Parliament resumes as to why service chiefs still do not salute for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

John Nyamande, MDC's member of parliament for Makoni Central Constituency, claimed that defence chiefs still refused to salute for Prime Minister Tsvangirai, almost three months after the formation of the inclusive government. Nyamande said he had raised the issue with Mnangagwa but had not yet received a response.

"Whether he's ducking the question or not, I don't know, but I will still ask him because sooner or later he's going to be in Parliament to answer questions," Nyamande said. Parliament is scheduled to reopen on May 12.

According to the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Assembly order no. 18 of March 25, 2009, Nyamande asked Mnangagwa whether the service chiefs still maintained that they would not salute Prime Minister Tsvangirai.

He had also asked the defence minister to explain their absence during the swearing in of Prime Minister Tsvangirai by President Robert Mugabe at State House.

"People want to know what the service chiefs are up to," Nyamande demanded. "In the spirit of the inclusiveness of government we expected that the service chiefs would follow in line with Robert Mugabe and Tsvangirai's working relationship. What has surprised many of us, is that they haven't extended the same kind of respect and spirit of inclusiveness. That worries a lot of people."

Before the March 2008 elections, some service chiefs including Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Army Commander Lieutenant General Phillip Sibanda, Prisons Commissioner Paradzai Zimondi, Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri, and Air Marshall Perence Shiri, vowed they would never salute for Tsvangirai.

Labels: ARMED FORCES, MDC

posted by MrK @ 3:52 PM