SW Radio Africa (London)
Tichaona Sibanda
29 February 2008
The Prisons Commissioner, Major-General Paradzayi Zimondi, has ordered his officers to vote for Robert Mugabe in the forthcoming poll, adding he would resign if the opposition won the elections.
At a ceremony to confer new ranks on senior officers this week, Zimondi said he would only support the leadership of Mugabe. He added; 'I am giving you an order to vote for the President.'
Zimondi was part of the group of the country's armed forces chiefs who announced on the eve of the 2002 presidential elections that they would not recognise the presidency of anyone who did not participate in the country's 1970s war of independence. This was in reference to Tsvangirai, a former trade unionist.
The MDC have reacted angrily to Zimondi's remarks, saying they were an 'assault on democracy.' Spokesman Nelson Chamisa said people like Zimondi needed examination, reorientation and rehabilitation.
'He's just a barking dog, a man with weak morals and questionable credentials. But there is nothing a barking dog can do to stop a moving train. The MDC train is inches away from State House and hence our landslide victory in the coming elections have caused Zanu-PF to panic,' Chamisa said.
The MDC spokesman added it was unfortunate that members of the defence forces had become so politicised under Mugabe's iron fist rule. He said under an MDC government all serving officers would be asked to be loyal to the country and not individuals.
'Under our government, they will have to integrate and respect the laws of the country and not the wishes of an individual. If they are unwilling to change, we will be happy to release them on early retirement so they can go and relax at their farms,' Chamisa said.
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