Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF official Patrick Chinamasa has boasted that the army belongs to the former revolutionary party.

Chinamasa made the remarks in the capital, Harare on Thursday.

Chinamasa also declared that those in the diaspora would not be allowed to vote until sanctions have been removed…

“I cannot go to campaign in the United Kingdom because of sanctions as we all know and as long as that situation persists, we will say no vote to people in the diaspora because we will be allowing only those who have been asking for sanctions to have access to that electorate.

That of course is not acceptable, and we will not allow it. Sanctions must fall and then we will start talking about the diaspora vote,” said Chinamasa.

He also boasted of the strong link between Zanu PF and the army:
…who are the commanders of the army, who is the CDF [Commander Defence Forces], Cde Valerio Sibanda. Who was he? He was a leading general in ZIPRA.

Who is the commander of the national army, Cde Edzayi Chimonyo? Who was he? He was a leading commander in ZANLA.

That culture of defending the sovereignty of this country will continue…”

Responding to Chinamasa’s remarks about the diaspora vote, MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere tweeted:

Mr Chinamasa’s position is not only unconstitutional but grossly irrational. Zimbabweans abroad are entitled to the diaspora vote.

We take diaspora remittances yet they want to deny Zimbabweans suffrage? Nonsense upon stilts.”