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(HERALD) MDC-T grandstanding ahead of summit: Zanu-PF

MDC-T grandstanding ahead of summit: Zanu-PF
MDC-T in major climb-down
Thursday, 02 June 2011 22:05
Herald Reporter

MDC-T has made a major climb-down on security sector reforms it has been demanding saying the party has no axe to grind with the security chiefs. The party's deputy national chairman, Senator Morgan Komichi told Senate this week that the security chiefs would remain at the helm because people were not against them.

This comes in the wake of the party's recent proposed security sector reforms through the South African mediation calling for the retirement of Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga and Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri before the next general elections.

President Mugabe, who is the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, has already dismissed the proposal.
Contributing to a motion on the repercussions of elections on ordinary citizens in Senate on Tuesday, Senator Komichi said: "We will continue to have General Chiwenga as the defence forces Commander, we will continue to have General Chihuri heading the police because people do not hate these generals, they do not hate anyone.

"We must follow the process of letting people choose their own leaders. Let the people make their own choices. We should accommodate each other. I think the people of Zimbabwe must be aware that when we go for elections and contest, we are not doing this so that we can kill each other. We must live in peace, live as brothers so that this country could move forward, so that we can live as normal people in this country."

In an interview after the Senate sitting, Mr Komichi stood his ground saying the security chiefs would remain at the helm.

When asked about the position his party took about the generals, Mr Komichi said:

"That was just a way of expressing temper and frustration."

However, Zanu-PF had already dismissed the call saying the party was trying to initiate a silent coup by pushing for the resignation of constitutionally appointed Government officials.

The party is also accused of trying to usurp President Mugabe's powers as the Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo recently said the security sector was a "no-go" area considering that the reforms seek to weaken the security forces.
Minister of State Security in the President's Office, Sydney Sekeramayi on Tuesday said the calls for security sector reform sought to create confusion and dissension.
"The current commanders were the foot soldiers during the liberation struggle and for someone to suggest that the defence and security that has built the force since Independence is uncalled for."

Labels: MDC, ZANU-PF

posted by MrK @ 10:27 PM