Is Zimbabwe a military state now as claimed by some analysts?

By Tichaona Sibanda
29 December 2005

Recent press reports have suggested that the country was now being run by the military with help from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

Analysts, writing in newspaper columns claimed that moves by government to confiscate passports from its critics and the order to deploy soldiers into farming had the hallmarks of a military junta running the affairs of the country.

Retired Colonel Bernard Matongo said despite these concerns the country was still under civilian rule, but with most of its specialised units or organisations under the leadership of former army officers.

‘There is still a civilian leader, who of course came via the barrel of a gun. The same leader enjoys the patronage of his senior commanders and as such makes it difficult for anyone to try and remove Mugabe from power legally or otherwise,’ said Matongo.

He deplored comments attributed to senior army officers that the army will not salute a leader who doesn’t have liberation war credentials as unfortunate.

‘Any professional army in the world is supposed to work under any elected government. Those soldiers should be professional commanders and not Zanu (PF) supporters.