THE MDC led by Welshman Ncube yesterday said it will raise the issue in Cabinet of the recent visit by the wife of Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Constantine Chiwenga, Mary, who was openly campaigning for Zanu PF within army barracks. Report by Nduduzo Tshuma
Mubaiwa-Chiwenga last week visited three army barracks in Matabeleland and urged female soldiers and wives of army personnel to rally behind President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF in the forthcoming elections.
MDC national spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube yesterday said Zanu PF was in breach of the Constitution.
“If our investigations prove that these reports are a matter of fact, then we will take the issue to Cabinet that has the power to discuss and decide on such matters,” he said.
“It is a breach of democracy and campaigning freely. “The prisons and army barracks should be free of political campaigns as those facilities should be independent of any political influence.”
Dube added, “Anyone who goes either to a police station — especially from Zanu PF which has been trying to arm-twist members of the security sector to vote in their favour — will find us opposed to it.”
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the army was in breach of section 208 of the Constitution that stipulates that the security sector should be apolitical.
“They are certainly not allowed by the Constitution,” he said. “If they want to open barracks to campaign then they must be open to all parties. “It is an act of desperation on the part of Zanu PF, but we know that there are a lot of professional soldiers who will not fall for this trick.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mubaiwa-Chiwenga, who is on a countrywide tour of army barracks, last Thursday addressed female soldiers and wives of army personnel at Mbalabala School of Infantry in Esigodini before moving to One Brigade Headquarters in Bulawayo.
On Friday the general’s wife took her campaign to Imbizo Barracks that coincided with the launch of Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe Armed Forces Foundation, whose patron is First lady Grace Mugabe.
In all the meetings, Mubaiwa-Chiwenga urged female soldiers and wives of army personnel to rally behind Mugabe and Zanu PF, as he had been chosen by God.
