Chiwenga, a general who always wanted to be a politician

SURVIVING IN TODAY,S ZDF — VIEWS OF TWO SERVING OFFICERS

Date:2010 January 9, 10:42 (Saturday)    Canonical ID:10HARARE7_a

Original Classification:CONFIDENTIAL      Current Classification:CONFIDENTIAL

Handling Restrictions– Not Assigned —

Character Count:14004

Executive Order:– Not Assigned —          Locator:TEXT ONLINE

TAGS:MARR – Military and Defense Affairs–Military and Defense Arrangements | PGOV – Political Affairs–Government; Internal Governmental Affairs | PREL – Political Affairs–External Political Relations | ZI – Zimbabwe           Concepts:– Not Assigned —

Enclosure:– Not Assigned —       Type:TE – Telegram (cable)

Office Origin:– N/A or Blank —

Office Action:– N/A or Blank —  Archive Status:– Not Assigned —

From:Zimbabwe Harare                Markings:– Not Assigned —

To:Australia Canberra | Central Intelligence Agency | Defense Intelligence Agency | Ethiopia Addis Ababa | Germany Berlin | Ghana Accra | Joint Analysis Center Molesworth | Kenya Nairobi | National Security Council | Secretary of State | Senegal Dakar | Southern African Development Community | Uganda Kampala | United Nations (Geneva) | United States European Command      Linked documents or other documents with the same ID:10HARARE75_a

SUMMARY

1.  (C) The most senior ranks of the Zimbabwean military are  so entwined with ZANU-PF as to be practically indistinguishable from the party.  This is particularly frustrating for many officers who want to concentrate on  building a professional military that can serve as a national  army and play a role in regional stability.

 2.  (C/NF) The following views are from two general officers  currently serving, who spoke privately with Ambassador and  DATT on January 5 and 6;  Brigadier General Herbert Chingono  (strictly protect), Inspector General for the Zimbabwe  National Army (ZNA), and Major General Fidelis Satuku (strictly protect), Director General for Policy and Personnel, Zimbabwe  Defense Forces (ZDF).  END SUMMARY.

FACTIONS AND SANCTIONS

3.  (C) There are no "factions" within the military, as this  implies leadership around which factions can coalesce.  There  are different attitudes and opinions:  full support of  ZANU-PF, recognition that the military has been politicized  and improperly used, and the fence sitters who are waiting to  see who comes out on top.  Except for those who are fully in  bed with ZANU-PF, people keep their views private to avoid being accused of treason, which can have fatal consequences.

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