Zimbabwe Defence Forces takes over government operations

By Tichaona Sibanda
18 April 2006

A senior Zimbabwe National Army officer has confirmed long held views that government is now under the control of the military.

A Brigadier based at army headquarters in Harare told our Bulawayo correspondent, Themba Nkosi over the Easter holiday that nearly all government structures have been placed into the hands of the army.

Almost all essential parastatals in the country are being run by personnel seconded from the army. Recently defence forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga took charge of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, ZIMRA.

With the country’s economy in freefall, compounded by escalating shortages of basic commodities like mealie meal and bread, tensions are running high.

As a measure to clamp down on any dissent against the government analysts say Mugabe has put the army in control of all essential government institutions and parastatals that are significant to the regime’s survival.

Nkosi said the Brigadier told him the exercise has sharply divided the army as only those from the former Zanla forces are being considered for the top posts at the expense of former Zipra combatants.

‘Even those taking over the command of brigades are from the former Zanla forces, so it is a case of not trusting anyone outside the Zanu (PF) inner circles, despite the Unity Accord that brought together Zanu (PF) and Zapu,’ said Nkosi.