Soldiers sent home over food shortages

By Lance Guma
13 September 2005

Robert Mugabe’s grip on power could be threatened by the food crisis that is now affecting the army. We have reports that junior officers are being sent home from barracks following the army’s failure to feed them. The police force and the prison service have also been badly affected It is the army however which has resolved to send soldiers home in batches, away from the barracks and this is stirring things up.

A very angry soldier in Matabeleland is reported to have shouted obscenities at the leadership after being told to clear out of barracks and go home. He told our source in Bulawayo the government is clearly playing with fire as the soldiers have made their position clear on this directive.

It is alleged the army is failing to provide enough food to feed soldiers in camp and the new strategy is aimed at relieving the pressure of supply. Several farms supply the army, police and prisons directly but it would seem from the policy shifts that these farms cannot supply the total food required.

The prison service also issued notices on the 31st of July allowing friends and relatives to bring food to prisoners serving time with labour. Previously this was not allowed.

Fears have been expressed that this new prison directive could make it easier for prisoners to commit suicide or be targeted by fellow gangsters who would simply bring in poisoned food for them.