Reports say Angola to deploy 3000 police militia to help Zimbabwe police

By Lance Guma

19 March 2007.

Details of a public order and security agreement between the government of Zimbabwe and Angola last week remain shrouded in mystery. Online news website Talk Zimbabwe.com reports that Angola will send 3000 of its notorious police militia within weeks to ‘boost the Zimbabwe Republic Police force which has suffered massive desertions in the past few years.’ The website says ‘the MPLA government has a powerful police militia that is used to quell local disorder,’ and that the same militia was used in Angola’s civil war and have a reputation for brutal tactics.

The state media in Zimbabwe did not report on this part of the story. A ZBC Newsnet story confirmed that General Roberto Leal Ramos Montero, Angola’s home affairs minister, signed a cooperation agreement with his counterpart Kembo Mohadi that would help to ‘reduce criminal activity.’ Newsnet quoted Mohadi saying ‘the agreement will curb leakages of precious minerals and human trafficking, among other crimes.’ Also present at the signing ceremony was the deputy minister of home affairs Obert Matshalaga, permanent secretary Melusi Matshiya, and commissioner of police Augustine Chihuri.

Talk Zimbabwe.com however say Monteiro, in announcing his sympathy for Zimbabwean police, pledged to supply over 3000 police militia, ‘to help with quelling violence and maintaining law and order in Zimbabwe.’ His pledge was made during a closed-door ceremony which Talk Zimbabwe.com say they had access to. Analysts have also pointed out that even if the militia are not immediately deployed, the deal effectively puts them at Mugabe’s disposal should he ever need them. There is also further speculation that Mugabe might be trying to counter the influence retired General Solomon Mujuru has in the army and that by bringing in foreign security forces he has a back up unit.

Talk Zimbabwe.com quotes Monteiro as saying the police should use appropriate measures to contain cases of violence in order to maintain peace and security and that ‘the Angolan government will help Zimbabwe in this endeavour.’ The website says he also gave indications his government could deploy their best-trained police militia in Zimbabwe as early as this week to help contain growing unrest. ‘Angola will do everything in its power to help the Zimbabwean police force and will not allow Western imperialism to take over Zimbabwe,’ Monteiro said adding, ‘President Robert Mugabe and I have agreed on a law and order maintenance agreement that will see Angolan police helping with the situation in the country.’