Is there anything wrong with the Zimbabwean Presidency becoming deputised by a decorated army general? These are some of the questions posed by many ZANU PF supporters and hinted on by Presidential advisor, Chris Mutsvangwa earlier this month.
Mutsvangwa continued speaking by comparing Zimbabwe with the United States Of America which was not only founded by a top army general, George Washington, but has had numerous other senior soldiers take the Presidency for more than 200 years to date. THIS MATTER WILL BE DISCUSSED ON ZimEye.com TODAY, WEDNESDAY.
The development comes as the state media described Defence Forces Commander Gen Constantino Chiwenga’s 44 year military career as “illustrious.” Chiwenga retired as a soldier on Monday and is expected to be appointed the country’s new 1st Vice President, a position that places him as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s obvious successor.
What's Wrong With An Army General Becoming President Of Zimbabwe?
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With millions of Zimbabweans hailing Chiwenga as the humble general who respected former President Robert Mugabe and allegedly “did not shed any blood and gracefully handed over power to Mnangagwa” during last month’s coup, the man’s public status as a ‘true liberator’ and a civilised soldier has come under the international spotlight.
Meanwhile, below was the state full text:
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General, Constantino Guvheya Nyikadzino Dominic Chiwenga, yesterday officially handed over the reins to General Philip Valerio Sibanda, marking an end to his 44-year illustrious military career.
The colourful hand-over and take-over grand parade was held at Commando Regiment and was witnessed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Gen Chiwenga retired this week after spending 44 years as a soldier, 13 of which he was ZDF Commander.
The ZDF is composed of the Zimbabwe National Army and Air Force of Zimbabwe.
Gen Chiwenga had taken over from late national hero General Vitalis Musungwa Gava Zvinavashe, who retired in 2003. Before handing over the ZDF colours and symbol of command, Gen Chiwenga inspected a guard of honour, his last in military uniform.
President Mnangagwa thanked Gen Chiwenga for showing consistency and steadfastness during his tenure.
“I, therefore, urge you to maintain the same loyalty, robustness and dedication to duty as you move to your next assignment which is quite prominent.”
He said Gen Sibanda’s promotion was based on distinction and merit.
“You have demonstrated visionary leadership, when you were Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army,” President Mnangagwa said.
“As you assume a higher and more challenging assignment, I hope and trust that you will continue to take a leading role in developing the Zimbabwe Defence Forces into a professional, competent, hard hitting and highly disciplined force.”
President Mnangagwa said the Defence Forces should continue working closely with Government Ministries to ensure economic development.
“Our Defence Forces are renowned and respected nationally, regionally and internationally for their professional conduct of duties,” he said.
“This was clearly demonstrated by the way Operation Restore Legacy was clinically executed, right from the start to finish. I want to assure you that Government is fully committed to the task of ensuring that your requirements and those of all citizens are provided for as we continue to review your conditions of service.”
In his farewell speech, Gen Chiwenga reminisced the journey he travelled with his “military family” since he joined the army at the age of 17. He chronicled how he left school in 1973 to join the liberation struggle and how President Mnangagwa superintended over the integration over Zanla and Zipra armies to form the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in 1980.
Gen Chiwenga said during his tenure as ZDF Commander, the main focus was on retraining and re-equipping the force following intermittent years of successful military campaigns.
The campaigns, he said, were held under the auspices of Sadc, African Union and United Nations.
“As I retire today, I am proud to have been associated with such a professional, battle tested and efficient force that has become the envy of many, friendly and foe, the world over,” Gen Chiwenga said.
“I implore upon you to jealously guard this good reputation that we have earned over the years.”
He said in the last 13 years, the ZDF had registered numerous achievements despite limited budgetary allocations.
These include a small hard hitting force, commonly referred to as Combat Group Concept, introduction of an inspectorate department and the Defence Economic Development Department, establishment of the Zimbabwe National Defence University and the recent Operation Restore Legacy among others.
Gen Chiwenga said his command was made easier because of the unity among officers.
“As I retire together with other Generals, I am aware though that some among us might be full of emotions due to this separation, over which I implore you all to reserve your energies in ensuring that you continue to give maximum support to the incoming command element,” Gen Chiwenga said.
He said the incoming Commander Gen Sibanda was an able freedom fighter and professional soldier.
Gen Sibanda said: “Many challenges confronted us during this period and General Chiwenga was always up to the task seeking solutions to these challenges.
“We overcame most of these because we worked as a team. Team work is our secret to success.”
He thanked President Mnangagwa for trusting him and pledged to do his best in executing his mandate.
The ceremony was witnessed by service chiefs, Government Ministers and senior officials.
8 Replies to “What’s Wrong With An Army General Becoming President Of Zimbabwe? The United States Was Built By Gun Toting Soldiers”
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These thugs helped one tyrant get into power and help him stay there for donkey years and now they have just imposed another. When will it ever stop!
Exactly!
None of the American soldiers were ever involved in vote rigging, staging coups or any politically motivated criminal activities or for selfish political gain. And yet all our soldiers cum politicians are all guilty of serious human rights violations and/or looting! All the thugs President Mnangagwa has been promoting for the last four weeks should all be in jail on high treason charges and yet they are even lining up to hold the highest office in the land.
God have mercy on Zimbabwe, at a time when the country was hoping for change all hope has been banished. Get Mnangagwa and this lot out of office is going to be a taxing challenge!
After 37 years of absolute power it is not surprising that Zanu PF thugs have grown to believe that they are invincible and infallible. The world and reality is whatever they say it is. The regime is one of the most corrupt and tyrannical regime in modern history, they have destroyed the country’s once promising economy and murdered over 30 000 innocent Zimbabwe in their 37 years reign of terror but to hear them speak, you would think they brought the golden age to rival that of Greece.
The ZDF has a checked history of corruption, vote rigging, staging coups and violence against innocent civilians including murders for selfish political; many of the top brass leaders should have been locked up a long time ago. And yet the same thugs are being showered with praise as exemplary professionals.
The coup last month has consolidated the Zanu PF dictatorship’s hold on power and all those in power today have all been in power all along and amassed a lot of wealth and skeletons too. Still, their hunger for power and wealth is razor sharp.
The state of Zimbabwe’s economy and the tragic human suffering it has brought says the nation is desperate for meaningful political change without which there will be very little economic recover. Mnangagwa and his cabal are so desperate to hang on to power, they will kill for it just as Mugabe has taught them how.
It is moment like this that the seriousness of MDC’s failure to implement the reforms during the GNU hits home and hit hard. If only Tsvangirai and his MDC friends had not sold-out, we would not be looking up the barrel of the gun with dread. If only!
Those noble American founding fathers where principled Christian soldiers who fought for liberty, justice and equality. The short history of this young Zimbabwe tells an absolutely different story. Who killed Tongogara? Who murdered over 20 000 innocent Ndebele souls? who has been torturing and murdering 100’s if not 1000’s of oppostion party members and people during every election since 1980? Who maimed and killed diamond panners in Marange? Who partnered with the Chinese to loot our nation’s diamonds and wealth in Marange? The answer is obvious to all, especially Christopher Mustvangwa who has been a part of it since its beginning. He may paint as many pictures as Picasso, but the naked truth is that these men are a band of heartless murderers and bloody kleptocrats in Military Uniforms and Shiny Suits
Does one who attempted suicide for cheating a military examination qualify to be head of state? does one who has a fake doctorate, qualify to be head of state, does one who looted diamonds qualfy? does one who ordered armed thugs to shoot at his comrades within the same party in order to cover up for his evil machinations qualify to be vice president let alone President? The list goes on and on, Compare the profiles of the American General and this thug, then we know what we are in for.
Thanks to ED for managing to polarise the army. Vakadyiwa mu 2018 zvavharana. Thanks ED.
Gun toting soldiers who killed or were killed during the civil war. And you expect that (sic)?