Personnel with a military background have proven to be best
performers in running State business and their deployment in Government is not
unique to Zimbabwe, political analysts have said.
This comes amid some unsubstantiated claims in opposition
circles that the Government had been captured by the military.
UK legislator Kate Hoey also recently tweeted that there
should be no change of policy on Zimbabwe from the international community
unless Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was “removed from his Vice
Presidency and his control of the military”.
Before being appointed VP, Dr Chiwenga was the Commander of
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Drawing comparisons from the United States of America,
political analysts concluded that involvement of people with a military
background was the norm the world over.
This year alone, at least three female veterans have
expressed interest to run for US Congress to solve what they termed America’s
‘’leadership crisis’’.
The three are Maura Sullivan, who served as a marine in
Iraq; Chrissy Houlahan, who worked on America’s response to nuclear attacks;
and Pam Keith, who defended troops who were court-martialled.
In any case, at least 26 of America’s presidents from
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to Dwight Eisenhower and both George
Bushes have served in the military, according to US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Speaking to The Herald last night, Harare-based political
analyst Mr Godwine Mureriwa said: “Best performers across the world especially
in the US are people with military background. Zimbabwe should not be an
exception when it comes to exploitation of the rich experience brought by its
own veterans in the running of its Government business.
“The Bulawayo incident that almost wiped out the entire
national leadership should be read in the context of terrorism and in such
circumstances people with military background cannot be wished away in
Government business.
“It should also be remembered that Zanu-PF is a product of
the military struggle brought about by Zanla and Zipra military wings and as
the ruling party there is nothing amiss about having its leaders in
Government.”
Another commentator, Mr Tafadzwa Mugwadi, said: “Any
reports or suggestions to the fact that the Zimbabwe Government is captured by
the military are baseless to the extent that they are stupid. For the avoidance
of doubt, Zimbabwe is a constitutional state where the role of State
institutions and organs inclusive of the army are well defined and codified.
“Any attempt therefore to smear the Government simply
because there are decorated former military officers in Cabinet who were
retired publicly is akin to lack of understanding of the art of statecraft. In
any case, until Donald Trump became the US president, it has been a cardinal
but unwritten practice that distinguished former US Army commanders and others
from their dreaded CIA contest for public office on retirement with a high
chance of being victorious because they would have proved themselves in terms
of their commitment to their country.
“In light of this, how does it become an issue in Zimbabwe?
This is nothing new but a continuation of calls by those with nefarious
intentions who have historically and vindictively been calling for so-called
security sector reforms agenda.”
A University of Zimbabwe lecturer who refused to be named
said: “The discipline that is inculcated in the uniformed forces is needed in
Government business. You may need to realise that most of the Western countries
that are calling for military reforms in African countries or dropping of
former military personnel in government are, in fact, the most militarised
countries in the world. What they preach to you is not what they do in their
own backyards. Zimbabwe, as a sovereign state, should be allowed to decide what
it is good for its citizens without any undue influence.” Herald
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