GOVERNMENT has reduced the number of security officers protecting
former president Robert Mugabe’s family as the fallout between incumbent
leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his predecessor gathers momentum, the
Zimbabwe Independent has established.
Mugabe buckled under heavy pressure and resigned on November 21 after
he was placed under house arrest by the military, recalled from the
ruling Zanu PF party and threatened with impeachment.
The reduction of security personnel and whittling down of allowances
paid to Mugabe follows a recent meeting between the former head of state
and ex-vice-president and National People’s Party (NPP) leader Joice
Mujuru at his Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale. The visit has also raised
eyebrows within the military with Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander
General Phillip Valerio Sibanda ordering servicemen to be wary of
politicians offering financial incentives to influence the military
ahead of this year’s elections.
The sources said the former leader appealed to the new administration to either reinstate one of his aides into the system or allow him to pay the aide. Mugabe cited his deteriorating health. Early this month Mnangagwa fired 17 top state security operatives, including Mugabe’s head of security Albert Ngulube and close aide and nephew Wonder Nyakurima respectively.
From the VVIP police protection unit, Mugabe is now left with senior assistant-commissioner Martin Kwainona and assistant-commissioner Vincent Mariga, sources said.
“The old man appealed to government to keep police who were manning his property and escorting him during his travel, but this was turned down. This came after one of his aides de camp, superintendent Chiringa, was redeployed from Mugabe’s residence and is now awaiting further transfer. He then asked if he could keep Nyakurima and this is being considered,” a source said.
“Out of the four agents he had from the Central Intelligence Organisation, only two are now working for him. Agents working for his wife have also been equally reduced while the number of soldiers manning his residence has also been reduced.”
Contacted for comment, government spokesperson George Charamba referred all questions to the Civil Service Commission chairperson Mariyawanda Nzuwa. Last December, the Police Protection Unit, which provides VIP protection, withdrew its team from Mugabe’s motorcade.
The government, another source said, also ordered its transport and logistics company, CMED, to stop providing vehicles to Mugabe’s aides and family.
According to sources, some of the police who will no longer be entitled to foreign travel allowances when Grace travels include chief superintendent Matsika, superintendent Fero and superintendent Mahala, only to mention a few.
Details of the long-time leader’s exit package were published in the Government Gazette in December, in terms of Section 3(1) of the Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits Act. Last month, Mnangagwa assured leaders at the African Union summit that Mugabe is well and safe.
“May I inform this august chamber that, your brother President Mugabe is safe, secure and well,” Mnangagwa told continental leaders. Zimbabwe Independent
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