Government will go ahead with implementing its
developmental projects despite spirited attempts by the opposition MDC Alliance
to destabilise the country, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Cde Oppah
Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail the Defence
Minister said the country cannot afford to perpetually remain in an election
mode.
Minister Muchinguri Kashiri said antics by the MDC-A were
meant to unnecessarily draw the international spot light on Zimbabwe. “I do not read too much into threats of violence by the
opposition political outfits and their allies,” she said.
“My view is that threats are aimed at disrupting Government
programmes and drawing international attention in order to maintain political
relevance in the country’s political life away from elections.
“Government should, therefore, not be distracted from its
programmes and developmental activities by attention seekers trying to keep our
country in a perpetual election mode until the next general election, in 2023.
“The state of the country’s situation is therefore peaceful
in spite of the isolated cases of politically motivated violence and social
media driven threats.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the country’s uniformed
forces were prepared to face, head on, any threats to national security and
stability
She said emerging threats will be assessed and dealt with
appropriately.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) posture on national defence
and security is defensive in nature hence the organisation trains to meet both
internal and external security threats.
“As the security situation evolves, the ZDF trains to
ensure that they are ready to deal with any emerging threats.”
The Nelson Chamisa MDC-A has, since losing last year’s
general elections, been threatening to cause chaos through violent street
protests.
Mr Chamisa is on record threatening to make the country
ungovernable if he is not handed State power.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said despite efforts to
besmirch the military through falsehoods, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces will
continue to discharge their Constitutional mandate in terms of the country’s
laws.
The ZDF, said the minister, will continue making efforts to
maintain good civil-military relations with all Zimbabweans.
“Judging from the negative private press reports, including
adverse social media reports, it is true that frantic efforts are being made by
opposition political parties, supported by some non-governmental organisations,
to tarnish the good image of the ZDF,” she said.
“Despite these detractions, the ZDF have continued to discharge
their mandate internally and internationally very well.
“They are doing everything in their power to maintain a
good image through improving the civil-military relations as they engage in a
number of community related projects throughout the year.
“Some of these are; ZDF Day celebrations, participation in
schools career days, provincial and national shows, countrywide assistance
projects and programmes.”
The ZDF are involved in a plenty of civil assistance
programmes that includes building schools, clinics and other public
infrastructure.
The ZDF was also at the forefront in response to the
Cyclone Idai disaster that affected part of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces
earlier this year. Sunday Mail
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